Oldham’s skyline is changing as tower blocks are demolished



17/02/2022

Work to knock down Crossbank House and Summervale House in Oldham is progressing well, changing the local landscape forever. 

The two blocks have stood at the gateway to Oldham town centre for almost 50 years and we're now dismantling them piece by piece.

On the vacated site we will be bringing forward a new 88 affordable home development to help meet local housing need. 

Our review in 2018 concluded that the high-rise blocks, along with bungalows at Fleming Place, no longer met the needs and aspirations of our customers and extensive repairs and maintenance at high cost would be needed to upgrade them and extend their life. 

After consideration, our Board decided that the best option for existing and future customers was to demolish the Crossbank House and Summervale House tower blocks and support residents to find new homes to better suit their needs. 

Work to demolish the tower blocks is being carried out by Oldham-based, specialist contractor D Hughes Demolition and Excavation Ltd which has experience and expertise in handling projects of this scale.

Donna Cezair, our Chief Executive said:  

“This decision presented us with a unique opportunity to bring forward a new sustainable development designed to meet the needs of local people and plan improvements in the area too, so everybody benefits.  

“It’s part of our work to deliver more high quality, affordable homes in Oldham and surrounding areas, where we know demand outstrips supply, and I’m excited to see the work progress.” 

Demolition of the tower blocks was approved by Oldham Council in September 2020.  

Work to take down eleven bungalows at neighbouring Fleming Place took place in December 2021, along with removal of non-structural elements inside and outside the tower blocks.  

Mechanical work to demolish Crossbank and Summervale began in early February. 

Oldham’s skyline is changing as tower blocks are demolished

Works are being carried out by Oldham-based, specialist contractor D Hughes Demolition and Excavation Ltd which has experience and expertise in handling projects of this scale. 

Joel Owen, our Director of Development said: 

“Demolition of the tower blocks is making good progress. Carrying out the work safely and minimising its impact on the local area are our priorities and we have worked closely with our contractor and principal designer on a robust management plan.  

“Our contractor is continuing to engage with local residents and business owners and we expect the site to be fully demolished and cleared in March 2022, meaning we can start work on building much needed new affordable homes for our residents to be proud of.” 

Once the demolition work is complete, we will start to bring forward our exemplar West Vale development - high quality, new affordable homes to help meet local housing need. Twenty-six houses are planned – a mix of two, three and four-bedroom family homes – along with 62 apartments, which will have one or two bedrooms. 

The new properties will be eco-friendly and will have an Energy Performance Certificate A - the most energy efficient rating in terms of likely fuel costs and carbon emissions. 

All homes will be affordable and will be allocated to local people based on housing need, in partnership with Oldham Council. 

Cllr Hannah Roberts, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “It is good to see the progress First Choice Homes is making in this redevelopment to provide modern energy efficient homes for Oldham residents.

“This gateway location is important for Oldham and I was pleased to be told about the consultation with local residents on the scheme.

“Oldham needs every affordable home possible to tackle the homelessness crisis and provide residents with warm, safe, good quality homes. Good energy efficiency helps us to move towards net zero and is much more affordable for residents facing high energy bills and a cost of living crisis.”

Read more about the West Vale redevelopment.