Member Article

Work underway on Royton district centre regeneration

Regeneration work is well underway for the dramatic transformation of Royton district centre in Greater Manchester.

Physical work has recently started to deliver an ambitious £22.5 million scheme to breathe new life into the area – which includes the redevelopment of Royton Assembly Hall.

Oldham Council has been working with Dransfield Properties Limited to deliver this comprehensive project will eventually make way for: a fully-integrated major food store; the refurbishment of the Town Hall and Library; new health centre, retention and enhancement of the popular market; improved car parking and improvement works to the precinct and pedestrian environment.

Demolition has started on the assembly hall – part of what will be the new retail core site for the town.

This first phase of the development, which will take place on part of the former Royton Health Centre, which was demolished by the Council in late 2013, is set to bring a new health centre, pharmacy and additional retail units. This will pave the way for the second phase which is scheduled to start in 2015.

The second phase of work could deliver a new 50,000 sq ft food store, petrol station and 320 space car park in the heart of Royton, providing the anchor the town needs.

This part of the scheme also includes a new children’s play centre and a much-needed boost to the markets area in the town centre.

Plans to transform Royton district centre were unanimously approved by Oldham Council’s planning committee in May 2013.

Dransfield Properties, based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, has been working on the scheme for the last two years. The company entered into a commercial agreement with Oldham Council in February 2012.

Councillor Jim McMahon, Oldham Council Leader, said: “To see continued physical work on this major project is exciting and we will soon see parts of Royton which look very tired on their way to becoming an integral part of a modern and fresh neighbourhood hub residents can be proud of.

“Regeneration is long overdue in Royton and the future of the Royton Assembly Hall building has been a long-standing issue for residents. However, this project is another example of the Council’s commitment to improve our borough and transform eyesores into eye-catching developments.

“Many thanks must go to ward councillors for keeping this issue on the agenda.

“We have worked co-operatively with Dransfield for around two years now on this ambitious scheme and consulted residents and businesses throughout this whole process.

“This was to ensure that all parties affected by the proposals were able to have their say and that the scheme meets the genuine needs of the area and aspirations of the local people.

“This huge transformation of Royton’s retail core will also bring much-needed employment and help us achieve our ambition to create 2,015 employment opportunities as part of our Get Oldham Working scheme.”

Retail property director at Dransfield Properties Andrew Malley said: “This is a complex project and we are delighted to be at this stage at the start of the year with the site being cleared for the first phase of the work which is due to commence later in 2014.

“Our plans for Royton have been met with a great deal of interest and enthusiasm in the town and it’s great news to be making this significant step forward to delivering the project.”

Alongside the investment into a new retail area, and the town’s £10million new health and wellbeing centre, Oldham Council is seeking to deliver an exciting vision for Royton’s Civic Core. This involves replacing the existing sports centre and the refurbishment Royton Town Hall.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Graham Vincent .