OPEN green space in Oldham could be sold as town hall bosses agree changes to their land and property assets.

Council chiefs have agreed to sell off parcels of the authority’s land, lease industrial units from a private company and take over a cafe lease.

The authority also wants to dispose of two areas of land in Sholver, which they admit could lead to a potential loss of public open space for neighbouring residents.

A report by Ben Hill, principal regeneration officer states: “The council is working with First Choice Homes to develop wider regeneration proposals for Sholver.

“This work includes a review of vacant land, including identifying options for potential redevelopment.”

They have highlighted green spaces known as Hodge Clough Road and Pearly Bank as potentially being ‘surplus to the council’s operational requirements’ as they do not generate income.

Their intentions will be advertised so that the public can make objections, before a decision will be made about whether to retain or dispose of the land.

New council leader Sean Fielding has signed off on a plan to acquire the lease of the Naked Bean Cafe at the Oldham Gallery and Central Library on Greaves Street.

The authority will have to pay statutory compensation to the existing leaseholder Relish (York) Ltd – but the cost of the purchase has not been publicly disclosed.

A report to the council states they will now enter into a new, short-term lease on ‘revised terms’.

Council-owned land in Shaw will be sold so that access can be provided for a proposed new development site off Victoria Street.

Permission was also given for the developer to enter onto the council’s retained land in order to construct some car parking spaces.

And the town hall has also agreed to enter into a lease with Meridian Development Company / Interurban Limited with respect to eight vacant units at Meridian Business Centre in Oldham.