Huge tower crane is now on site at West Vale, as project takes next step

Locals will no doubt have spotted a new addition to Oldham’s skyline - a 147ft tower crane currently positioned in the Coldhurst neighbourhood at the top of Manchester Road.

The crane - which is ten times the height of a double-decker bus - is in place to deliver early construction work at First Choice Homes Oldham’s (FCHO) exemplar West Vale affordable housing development.

Arrival of the tower crane marks the latest milestone at the housing association’s flagship scheme, which is transforming the site where ageing tower blocks, Crossbank House and Summervale House once stood.

FCHO is partnering with contractor Caddick Construction to build a contemporary, sustainable mixed-tenure development to meet local housing need.

Twenty-six two, three and four-bedroom family houses for shared ownership are planned, along with 62 one and two-bedroom apartments for affordable rent.

All homes will be off gas, with a high energy performance rating, and use latest green technologies including air source heat pumps and additional insulation, which exceeds the standards required by Building Regulations, to help residents save energy and money.

The tower crane will play a crucial role in the construction of the seven-storey, concrete frame apartment building planned for West Vale and will be on site until spring 2024.

Joel Owen, FCHO’s Director of Development said: “The crane’s arrival is another sign of progress being made on site and it is generating a lot of positive interest from the Oldham community.

“With piling for the apartment block complete, the team can now focus on the foundations and starting construction of the concrete frame.  

“Important too is that the Caddick team is helping us get more out of what we do by maximising local supply chain partners - creating employment opportunities and contributing to the local economy.

“As the apartment block commences, work on the 26 houses is also underway.

"There’s a lot happening across the site as our plans for West Vale become a reality and we’re looking forward to seeing the build take shape.”

Caddick Construction Group Managing Director, Paul Dodsworth, added: “It’s great to see this important new scheme start to take shape at West Vale, as our construction programme advances.

"With the tower crane now on site we can look ahead to the next stages of the build, which brings us one step closer to delivering these much needed, affordable homes to the community in Oldham.

“As with all of the projects we put our name to, leaving a positive legacy is very important to us.

"This is why we’re engaging with the local economy and enlisting a high quality, local supply chain throughout this build.”     

Caddick Construction began enabling works on FCHO’s West Vale project in January this year and all new homes at the development are due for completion in winter 2024.

Homes for affordable rent will be allocated in line with Oldham Council’s Allocations Policy.

Anyone who wishes to register interest in a shared ownership property at West Vale should email: development@fcho.co.uk.

As the West Vale scheme moves forward, FCHO is also spending c.£780k 2023-2025 on energy efficiency improvement works to existing properties in the neighbourhood.

Environmental improvements are planned too and so far the housing provider has invested £9.5k on tree inspections, maintenance and planting, and a further £63.5k on clearing alleyways of rubbish and removing fly tipping, repairing and repainting fencing, and overhauling a disused communal garden behind Vale Drive.

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