Construction is underway on the £28m first phase of Prince’s Gate, creating 75 affordable homes in the heart of Oldham town centre for nationwide placemaker Muse, working in partnership with Oldham Council.
Phase 1 (Block C) of Prince’s Gate will see the Oldham-based contractor create 75 affordable homes set over six levels in the heart of Oldham town centre. Located on the former Prince Street Car Park, adjacent to the Mumps Metrolink stop, Prince's Gate will transform a prominent brownfield site into a welcoming new gateway to Oldham.
The homes are being designed to meet the Future Homes Standard, with the partnership targeting energy performance around 70 – 75% better than current building regulations. This ambition reflects a shared commitment to delivering sustainable, high-quality homes that are fit for the future.
Creating opportunities for local people is at the heart of Prince’s Gate. Willmott Dixon and its supply chain partners will support Oldham residents facing barriers to employment, helping them develop work-ready skills, gain industry experience and secure sustainable employment.
The company will also work with Oldham students, offering work experience and T Level industry placements, and will support local Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations (VCSEs).
Phase 1 is scheduled for completion in summer 2028.
Anthony Dillon, Managing Director for Willmott Dixon in the North, said: “As an Oldham-based business, we are proud to continue helping to shape Oldham Town Centre and play our part in the town’s exciting future in partnership with Muse and Oldham Council.
“We share Muse and Oldham Council’s passion for ensuring this landmark project will create opportunities for Oldham people, and with work now underway, we’re looking forward to working with our local supply chain partners on this transformational project.”
Alex Vogel, Senior Development Manager at Muse, said: “Muse are delighted to see the progress being made at Prince’s Gate which is set to become a key new gateway into the town centre and an integral part of Oldham’s town centre regeneration.
Working with highly experienced and locally based private sector partners like Willmott Dixon is a fantastic example of the way that the partnership is trying to enable local residents and businesses to play an active role in improving their community.”
Emma Barton, Deputy Chief Executive (Place) of Oldham Council, said: “The start of main construction at Prince's Gate is a significant milestone for Oldham and another important step in delivering our long-term vision for the town centre.
“Delivering high-quality new homes in this location will help us to meet the needs of people in Oldham and create a future for Oldham that we can all be proud to share.”
Prince’s Gate adds to Willmott Dixon’s growing track record of building homes in the hearts of towns and cities. The company is on site delivering 81 net zero homes at Station Gardens in Rochdale - another brownfield gateway site beside a railway station - and 82 homes at the £24m Hough Top scheme in Leeds. It was recently appointed to deliver The Stage in Luton, a £114m town centre regeneration scheme creating 292 apartments including 84 affordable homes, and delivered 242 homes at Upperbanks in Rochdale town centre.
In Oldham itself, the company delivered the award-winning £63m Spindles Town Square redevelopment and recently completed the £13.1m Welcome Building and Forestry Skills Centre at Northern Roots, again in partnership with Oldham Council.
