Warehouse to bring hundreds of jobs

Proposed DPD distribution centre at land off Greengate, Chadderton.

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A NEW £11m distribution warehouse will be built in Oldham, delivering up to 350 full-time jobs.

The scheme, which will be developed by industrial developer Chancerygate, was approved by Oldham Council's planning committee last night.

The 60,000 sq ft centre will be built on land off Greengate in Chadderton.

Leading parcel delivery company DPD Group UK, which specialises in express postal and courier services, has agreed to take up occupancy, with 200 delivery driver jobs and a further 64 employment opportunities created on site by 2026.

Around 100 jobs are also expected to be created during the construction phase.

The project is set to be completed by summer next year.

Councillor Jean Stretton, leader of Oldham Council, said: "This is great news that DPD Group UK are investing in the borough - they are the type of global brand Oldham Council is looking to attract here.

"We've done it already with ODEON, the Audi dealership planned for Chadderton Way, plus Marks & Spencer at Prince's Gate at Oldham Mumps - this shows that market leaders see the borough as a place where they can do business and invest.

"When fully operational, the new distribution centre will create 350 new full-time jobs, which is great news for the local economy and jobseekers.

"DPD have already said they are keen to work with us on employment and skills issues and would expect most of the workforce to live near to the new centre - which supports our Get Oldham Working campaign."

Demand

Louise Ferguson, general manager if Property DPD Group UK Limited, said: "We're delighted to get the go-ahead and grateful to Oldham Council for their support to-date.

"The new distribution centre will be a state-of-the-art facility that will not only expand our existing operation in the region, but also help future-proof our business to meet the growing demand for our services.

"Most importantly for the local area, the project will also create a significant number of new jobs as the centre builds up to full capacity."

The 3.63-hectare plot, currently derelict and vacant, was previously part of the BAE Systems factory.

It will include a purpose-built storage and distribution centre, two-storey office block and a single-storey welfare block with changing areas, toilets and a canteen.

There will also be loading facilities and a service yard for large articulated vehicles, including 27 spaces for HGVs.

The facility will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will include 120 on-site car parking spaces for staff, including six disabled spaces and six additional customer spaces.