Gas holder demolition needs speeding up

REDUNDANT . . . The gas holder in Hollinwood has been earmarked for demolition for years

A REDUNDANT gas holder that has been earmarked for demolition for several years could finally be set to go this summer.

A report to Oldham Council's Cabinet on Monday will outline plans to clear the 1.78-acre site in Hollinwood and acquire it from owners National Grid Property Holdings Ltd, paving the way for regeneration and job creation.

The gas holder, near the M60, was identified as preventing progress on future development, including the creation of 150,000 square feet of employment space and up to 500 jobs. However, the owners are not scheduled to take it down until 2023.

The 165ft construction in Albert Street was the largest in the country when it was built in 1913.

Consent was granted in November 1992, for the storage of about 150 tonnes of natural gas but it has been out of use since 2009.

Since then plans have been made to demolish it as part of regeneration in the area.

In September 2013, the Chronicle reported that work was expected to start within months.

And at a Full Council meeting in July 2015, then council leader Jim McMahon told councillors National Grid had confirmed that its removal was "imminent".

The council has entered into a Strategic Partnering Agreement (SPA) in relation to the land with developers Langtree Group PLC.

Planning permission for the demolition and also the Revocation of the Hazardous Substances Consent Order have been secured.

Council leader Councillor Jean Stretton said: "The council is working with Langtree Property Partners and the Hollinwood Partnership to bring forward development at this strategic junction, which is an important gateway into Oldham.

"To ensure we can move forward with our plans, the gas holder needs to be demolished as quickly as possible. If we do not facilitate the work and acquire the site we would have to wait at least another six years before it comes down - preventing or significantly delaying the development of the council-owned sites.

"A timely demolition could result in the creation of a significant number of jobs, boost the local economy and improve the look and appearance of the area."

Subject to approval, work will start in the summer and is expected be completed next year.