The road to the future...

A new link road will be built before any other development takes place

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WORK on the controversial £100 million regeneration scheme in Foxdenton is set to begin as early as May.

Broadway Green, a joint venture regeneration scheme between Oldham Council and Foxdenton LLP, is expected to bring thousands of jobs as well as much needed housing and boost the local retail economy.

The scheme will provide 700,000 square ft of employment space within a premium business park alongside up to 500 new homes on site, which is strategically placed between the M60 and M62. It will bring with it 2,000 new jobs and an estimated £5.4m annual boost to the local retail economy from resident spending.

Essential infrastructure work, which will include a new link road connecting the A663 (Broadway) and B6189 (Foxdenton Lane), will be laid down before any other development takes place with the work to start in May, lasting approximately 74 weeks.

The first residential phase, area R2, located on the Broadgate side, will commence on site within six months of the start of the main infrastructure works, while area R1, located on the Foxdenton Lane side, is expected to begin a year later.

Councillor Jean Stretton, leader of Oldham Council, said: "I am delighted that after many years of planning we are now able to press ahead and deliver this regeneration scheme, bringing thousands of jobs and new homes to Chadderton and the surrounding area.

"With its strategic location near the M60 and M62, the business park signals that our borough is truly open for commerce and will act as a catalyst for wider growth."

Councillor Stretton added: "The early delivery of the new link road and other infrastructure will kick-start this regeneration and I would ask residents to be patient while this essential construction work is undertaken and reassure them that we will be providing regular updates."

The regeneration scheme will revitalise the existing site for the benefit of new and existing residents with green open space for the local community. This will include a 25-acre community park which is subject to an ongoing design process with locals to ensure the features and facilities reflect the needs and aspirations of the area. Scenic footpaths and cycle routes will also be included.

The housing development will also generate substantial payment from the Government's New Home Bonus scheme, which helps to fund important infrastructure improvements and local community projects. It is estimated, when applied to Broadway Green, it will amount to just under £5m in New Homes Bonus payments.

As well as the addition of the new link road, £150,000 will be made available by the council as a developer contribution towards improvements on Foxdenton Lane as well as a package to relieve congestion at the Broadway/Eaves Lane junction.

Earlier this month Highways England pledged a £500,000 contribution to help improve the roads close to the Foxdenton development site.

The site is described as being in a sustainable location, to the south-west of Chadderton, two miles from Oldham town centre, with public transport links with Mills Hill train station and Freehold Metrolink less than a mile away, offering fast and regular commuter links into Oldham, Manchester and Rochdale.

As part of the regeneration scheme there will be £1m in funding for primary school places to ensure that there is a school place for every new child from the development.

Furthermore, £830,000 every year in council tax payments will be generated in additional revenue for Oldham Council, helping the council to ensure that services for new residents are fully funded.

Mike Coulter, managing director of Foxdenton LLP, who grew up in Chadderton, said: "This is fantastic news for Oldham. This £100m scheme signals the start of Oldham's very own economic powerhouse, with thousands of jobs, much needed new homes and essential infrastructure all being delivered hand-in-hand to create an economic hub that will benefit the whole of the borough.

He added: "We now have the green light and the essential infrastructure work will mark the first visible signs that work is under way on this iconic project."

Although the development proposes economic growth, it has been met with opposition from local residents who have raised concerns including loss of green space and wildlife, exacerbating existing drainage problems, flooding, increased traffic and road safety.

Concerns have also been raised about a perceived lack of communication from Oldham Council and the developers about the progress of the project.

However, Mr Coulter said there would be continued community engagement with a updated community consultation website, representation at Chadderton Together meetings, regular updates via press and social media, community consultation events and a contractor-nominated community liaison officer.