Demolition of Oldham tower blocks underway to make way for new eco-friendly homes

Demolition is underway

Work has begun to demolish two tower blocks in Oldham which have been standing for almost 50 years.
 
The demolition of Crossbank House and Summervale House signals the start of First Choice Homes Oldham’s (FCHO) transformation of the neighbourhood west of Oldham town centre.
 
Following the demolition on the site off Vale Drive in Coldhurst, the social housing provider will start building the new ‘West Vale’ development - 88 new homes to help meet local housing need.

Twenty six houses are planned – a mix of two, three and four-bedroom family homes – along with 62 apartments, which will have one or two bedrooms.
 
The new properties will be eco-friendly, and will have an Energy Performance Certificate A - the most energy efficient rating in terms of likely fuel costs and carbon emissions.
 
The development will also include landscaping across the site, with houses benefitting from well-sized gardens; driveway car parking for all the houses and some of the apartments; and cycle parking. A recreational space located at Broome Street with an equipped play area is planned too, providing a much need facility for younger children in the area.
 
All homes will be affordable, with the properties for affordable rent allocated to people based on housing need, in line with Oldham Council’s Allocations Policy.
 
FCHO say West Vale will be a 'gateway' to Oldham and is in a prime location for residents, with easy access to nearby amenities, Oldham town centre’s shops and services and the local transport network.
 
The demolition works are being carried out by Oldham-based, specialist contractor D Hughes Demolition and Excavation Ltd. With experience and expertise in handling projects of this scale, the D Hughes team will take down the tower blocks between  December 2021 and March 2022. Eleven bungalows at neighbouring Fleming Place have already been demolished as part of the programme.
 
Joel Owen, FCHO Director of Development said: “Demolition of the tower blocks is an important milestone in our West Vale development and makes way for us to transform the area and improve the lives of local people.
 
“Supporting the local economy and creating opportunities for local businesses and people is important to us and I’m delighted to be partnering with a local firm that shares our commitment to leaving a lasting and positive legacy in the community.”
 
Demolition of Crossbank House and Summervale House was approved by Oldham Council in September 2020 and plans for the £12m new build West Vale scheme were approved in June 2021.

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