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Search the Public Notice PortalIt’s been four years since the Department of Work and Pensions left their Union Street office and 18 months since plans were submitted to turn it into 82 flats.
However, apart from hoardings being installed around the building, there doesn’t appear to have been much movement at the site – at least not legally.
Over the last couple of months, several videos have popped up on TikTok from urban explorers who have got inside the empty building.
They show the open plan office floors full of piles of debris, with some intruders even making it onto the roof of the building.
The building is also known for the distinctive modernist bird sculpture on the facade of the building.
What are the plans?
Towards the end of 2024, plans were submitted to the council by Nick Carroll Architects on behalf of developers A&S Mayfair Limited to change the use of the building from an office block into 82 apartments.
According to the planning documents, the development will include a mix of one and two-bedroom units, although the majority would be one-bedroom units. Each flat will also have a bathroom and a kitchen/living area.
Plans also show that the existing staircases and lifts will be protected.
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Oldham Council’s planning committee made a decision on the plan in June 2025, but it wasn’t a straightforward approval.
It was confirmed that prior approval for the development is required and will be granted by Oldham Council if conditions are met.
Prior approval is a process where developments that are granted permitted development rights by national legislation still require the developer to seek approval regarding specific aspects of the project.
In their report, the council planning officers raised concerns about the noise from the neighbouring Sainsbury’s supermarket.
The decision notice reads: “No dwelling units hereby approved shall be occupied unless and until a scheme for protecting the residents of the new flats from noise from the external mechanical plant at the adjacent supermarket has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and all required works forming part of the approved scheme shall be completed before the accommodation is occupied.”
At present there, it does not appear on the planning portal as though any further documents have been submitted or approved for a discharge of conditions.
The Oldham Times contacted Nick Carroll Architects, who referred us to London-based real estate investment and development firm JS Land & Capital. We have reached out to them for comment.
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