New neighbourhood of affordable and social homes coming to Waterhead

A CGI of the Holt Street affordable housing development, taken from planning documents. Image courtesy of MCI Development

More than 50 new affordable homes are due to be built on a recycling plant in Waterhead.

The 53 new-builds at Bedford Mill on Holt Street will become a mixture of social housing and shared ownership schemes.

The homes, approved at a planning meeting on Wednesday evening (September 18), will include 29 two-storey houses – 12 two-beds and 17 three-beds – grouped in blocks of twos or threes.

There will also be a three-storey complex with 24 one and two-bed apartments.

Speaking on behalf of the developers, MCI Development, Katarzyna McMaster promised a ‘strong contribution to the council’s housing supply’ and a ‘quick delivery’ of the houses within two years.

She also stated that a concern about noise affecting new residents from the surrounding commercial and industrial sites would be addressed by sound barriers. 

The site, located one kilometre from the eastern edge of Oldham town centre, is within ‘easy walking distance’ of shops and amenities as well as public transport.

But residents will also each receive one parking space outside their home. 

A planning report penned by planning officer Graham Dickman said: “The proposal will result in the redevelopment of a brownfield site in a highly sustainable location to provide much needed affordable housing.”

The application received no objections from the public and was unanimously voted through by councillors. 

The approval is on condition of a management plan for construction, which will regulate how and when heavy vehicles can use the roads around the construction site.

MCI Development will also have to pay for alterations to the highway markings on Holt Street Junction, which sees heavy use by traffic from and towards Huddersfield Road.

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