OLDHAM Beyond – the high-profile regeneration scheme launched four years ago – has proved a major success in helping the borough gain direction and momentum.

This is the finding of a new report that is the conclusion of a ‘1,000 Day’ campaign’ to evaluate the scheme’s achievements.

The report – published as the Advertiser went to press – examines the initial steps made towards creating the more inclusive, prosperous and sustainable borough presented back in April 2004.

Regeneration specialists Urbed had undertaken in-depth consultation – including a giant thought bubble that toured local communities – to produce a futuristic vision for the area.

Today the Oldham Beyond Commission – which has followed the progress of the initial ideas for 1,000 days – says 44 of the 50 key actions pledged in 2004 have either been fully implemented, or progressed as well as could be expected in the time frame.

Professor Peter Roberts, chairman of the commissionr, states "positive change is now apparent" and says the town has "finally taken ownership of its own destiny".

He said: "University Centre Oldham is building an extension just three years after its creation and Oldham Sixth Form College is developing plans for a Regional Academic Science Centre. These are clear indicators of not only a new Oldham but also an Oldham with a future."

Other positive achievements highlighted in the new report include the...

  • Opening of the first headquarters at the new Hollinwood Business District near Junction 22 of the M60

  • Occupation of the first homes built as part of Housing Market Renewal in Werneth/Freehold and Stoneleigh, Derker

  • Opening of a new Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre

  • Production of plans for the redevelopment of the Oldham College campus and for the Coliseum Theatre’s proposed new home in the town centre’s ‘West End’

  • Approval of plans to redevelop Oldham Athletic’s Boundary Park stadium

    In evaluating progress, Prof Roberts stresses change is not just about physical regeneration, but also about developing people skills and a culture of belief.

    "Oldham Beyond has been a real ‘trigger’ and the work of the Oldham Partnership has fostered a realisation that the town really can help itself," he said.

    "Looking around the districts now you can see things being achieved even on minor levels through this new-found confidence.

    "How many places in the UK, for example, are having to build facilities because more teenagers are studying natural science? Such people are practically an endangered species elsewhere."

    He adds: "The real resource of a place is ultimately its people and Oldham is really getting there in terms of skills and attitudes. There are still problems, not all neighbourhoods are functioning as we might like, but the Oldham ‘plane’ has finally taken off. The next task is to keep flying it in the right direction."

    Cllr Dave Hibbert, environment and regeneration, said the closure of the 1,000 days campaign was just "the end of the beginning for Oldham’s transformation".

    "I think people will be surprised at how much has already been achieved," he said. "You don’t tend to notice changes on a daily basis as they happen around you but this report highlights the vast scale of what has already been done."