FOUR projects are set to transform Oldham town centre after the borough was awarded £24.4m from a government fund - but one proposed project will not go ahead under the scheme.

The money from the Towns Fund will have a focus on sustainability – placing green recovery and clean growth at the heart of town centre regeneration.

The fund will be used to invest in the Northern Roots project, which will create the largest urban farm and eco-park.

The relocation of Tommyfield Market into Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre will be helped.

The Oldham Times:

Spindles Shopping Centre will be adjusted and more office space will be made available there.

And funds will be invested to reuse listed buildings to expand Oldham's performing arts sector.

However, one project,  a "Minewater Heat Network", which could convert water from flooded coal mines into energy to create an environmentally friendly power source for the town centre, has not been approved.

The town had bid £41m for all five projects including the network proposals.

Oldham Council leader and cabinet member for economic and social reform, Cllr Arooj Shah, said: “As Oldhamers we know our town has fantastic potential, and we are pleased that the Government have endorsed our vision for the town centre.

“Oldham bid for a competitive £41m for five ambitious projects that will make the town centre a place that mixes retail, work, homes and leisure, and will help establish Oldham as the greenest borough in Greater Manchester.

"Securing funding for four out of five is a great result.

“We will now look at alternative routes to delivering the fifth project – a Minewater Heat Network which could convert water from flooded coal mines into energy to create an environmentally friendly power source for the town centre.

“The Town Deal Board has worked incredibly hard and we are grateful for its achievements which will make a tangible difference to places and people across the borough.

“These projects will not only boost regeneration, they will also create much-needed jobs, apprenticeships, training and opportunities to support our recovery from the pandemic as sustainably as possible.”

In keeping with Oldham Council’s sustainability ambitions, most of the projects will be re-using and re-purposing existing buildings, rather than building new, thereby minimising the carbon footprint of redevelopment.

The Town Deal Board meets regularly – and has been meeting virtually during the coronavirus pandemic – to develop Oldham’s Town Investment Plan. It brings together a very diverse range of key stakeholders and perspectives who will now develop detailed business plans for each project.

The Towns Fund is a £3.6bn government fund to boost local economies, create jobs and help towns build back better from the pandemic.

Oldham was selected to submit a bid along with 100 other towns which have a proud industrial and economic heritage but have not always benefited from economic growth in the same way as more prosperous areas.

The £24.4m Towns Fund funding follows Oldham’s successful bid for £10.7m from the Future High Streets Fund, which will support other regeneration projects including making the town centre more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists, the launch of a food hall in the Old Town Hall’s Egyptian Room and a new business hub for digital start-ups.

Chairman of Oldham Town Deal Board and chief executive of Social Enterprise UK, Peter Holbrook CBE, said: “We’re delighted to have received this funding which will realise the ambition for change in Oldham.

“The Town Deal Board is made up of private and public sector partners who all share a combined vision for Oldham to be a town where business and enterprise can thrive and where people want to live, visit, relax and work.

"The projects within our bid will help us to deliver that shared goal.

“My thanks goes to the board and everyone who has played their part in securing this important funding for the borough.

"We look forward to continuing to work together to bring the projects to life and help Oldham realise its potential.”