A huge warehouse project could bring hundreds of blue collar jobs to Oldham – despite some blasting the £39m project as ‘a shed’.
Developers Chancerygate and Hines plan to turn land off Lydia Becker Way spine road in Chadderton into an ‘urban logistics space’. The news comes after the Yodel warehouse in nearby Shaw announced its imminent closure, costing the borough up to 350 jobs.
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Chadderton Central councillor Mohammed Nazrul Islam said: “We don’t have all the details yet but if it’s approved it will be great for Oldham, great for jobs, great for the local economy.
“It should fill some of the jobs that have been lost here recently. There’s more investment needed in Oldham and hopefully we’ll see more of that from now on. “
Plans for ‘Broadway Green’ are yet to be submitted to the council’s planning portal but the scheme would see more than seven acres of land become home to 167,000 sq ft of warehousing space, in 18 units of different sizes.
A spokesperson for the developers said: “Broadway Green will become an enduring asset for Oldham and Greater Manchester which stimulates both economic growth and job creation.
“We expect the development to create in excess of 100 jobs.”
The land was bought from Foxdenton LLP – a conglomerate of Oldham Council, Grasscroft Property and Seddon Developments for an undisclosed sum earlier this year. The area was originally earmarked for residential and commercial development by the council in 2012, as part of a wider scheme to bring growth to the ward.
But not everyone is convinced the project is in the area’s best interest. Lib Dem leader Howard Sykes said that while there was nothing wrong with bringing in new blue collar jobs, he was ‘disappointed’ by the decision to sell off the land and “build a shed”.
Sykes said: “It’s not like we’re building a science park. Apparently all we build is warehouses in Oldham – it’s a bit disappointing for such a prime site in relation to the motorway network.”
The proposed site is near to another warehousing complex completed by Chancerygate earlier this year. The 108,000 sq ft Broadway Central site opened in March and is now 35 pc occupied by potential new employers for Oldham.
But Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “The Chancerygate scheme is not just a warehouse or ‘shed’, it’s a significant £39m investment into Oldham, with a number of different sized industrial units that can support a number of different businesses.
“The space will benefit businesses who are looking to relocated to Oldham or expand within the borough, which will support the local economy and create new jobs.
“I’m quite surprised to see Cllr Sykes turn his nose up at warehouses given the devastating impact the closure of Yodel in his own ward had on residents in Oldham.”