Werneth/Freehold, Oldham
The Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder has big plans to transform Werneth/Freehold in Oldham into a thriving, neighbourhood, with a mix of different housing types to suit different people’s needs and aspirations.
We are replacing some of the old, terraced houses with new, well-designed homes suited to modern needs; turning old industrial sites into state-of-the-art housing developments; improving road layouts and making better use of open space.
Work has already begun. Around £17 million has been spent to improve the exterior of some homes; buy properties for clearance; demolish a large number of properties including the demolition of Council properties on Broadmount Terrace, Reedham Walk, Featherstall Road, Hartford Square and St John’s Walk; provide financial support to residents affected; tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and carry out environmental improvements, such as the rejuvenation of Peanut Park on Edward Street.
And there is much more still to come. A further £17 million of HMR funding plus £3 million of other public and private sector funding will be invested by 2008. Work will include further clearance to make way for new homes and building will commence on new properties within the area.
Work is well underway to build 63 new homes at a site at Harry Street/Suthers Street and Great Places Housing Group has started building 23 new homes of various sizes and tenure on Devon Street. The first properties were occupied in August 2007, and the whole development will be completed by summer 2008. The new housing development will also include a Home Zone, where priority is given to pedestrians.
Meanwhile, we are progressing plans to transform former industrial sites. A team of British architects recently won a European architecture competition to work with residents on plans to develop desirable new homes for the future on Spencer Street. We are also looking at options for breathing new life into Hartford Mill.
We are also planning to refurbish more terraced homes to complement the schemes that have already been completed.
Local people continue to have a big say in the plans. There are regular consultation events, residents' forums and people can drop in to speak to trained Community Housing Officers at the neighbourhood office at 80 Tamworth Street for information and support.
Read about Investment in Werneth/Freehold 2007-08