Former site of ‘death trap’ mill to be turned into new neighbourhood

A site once home to a ‘death trap’ mill could soon be turned into a new neighbourhood for Oldham. A plot of land in Werneth, once home to Hartford Mill, can be used for more than 90 new houses and apartment blocks.

Hartford Mill saw more than 250 emergency incidents in just three years, including a fire that ravaged most of the building in 2014 and a teenager who tragically fell to his death a year later. The structure was tipped for demolition in 2018, but works were only completed in 2023.

Now developers are looking to use almost 3.5 hectares of brownfield land. An outline application approved by the council means a residential development is acceptable ‘in principle’, though exact details of the housing complex would still need to be submitted for approval. The sample plans suggest a new neighbourhood comprising 93 family homes – 79 two- or three-bed properties and 17 three or four-bed – and two apartment blocks. The plans include five affordable houses, though the exact figure would be decided in a full planning application.

All the homes would have gardens, and the apartment block would share a communal green space and car park. New roads would connect Milne Street, Edward Street, and Block Lane.

The application received zero public comments and may be a welcome change to the area. Councillors previously approved bulldozing the Grade III-listed mill, which they described as a ‘death trap’ and an ‘unwelcome advert of decay’ for prospective residents. The site used to attract a large amount of antisocial behaviour, including arson, as well as several instances of personal injury and a fatality.

Usually, listed buildings can’t be ripped down unless detailed plans are approved to replace them. But councillors stated the demolition was ‘necessary’ for public safety.

More detailed plans for the site are expected to be submitted within the next three years, before the expiration of the permission for the outline application.