Oldham Council has published its Mills Strategy (March 2022) setting out how these historic textile buildings can play an important part in the future of the borough. The study, one of the first of its kind in the country, was commissioned by Oldham Council and Historic England to explore the mills potential for future use. It is seen as key in reducing Oldham’s green belt allocations, with mill sites able to provide space for around 800 new homes.

The Oldham Mills Strategy identifies mills across the borough and assesses how important each one is to the local heritage and landscape. It also establishes how they could be repurposed, such as conversion into new homes, for employment or other uses, thereby minimising the area’s carbon footprint by reusing previously developed sites.

Oldham has 103 surviving textile mills out of 455 sites (excluding Saddleworth) built between the mid-18th century and the 1920s. Of these, 14 are listed buildings.

For more details follow this link: https://www.oldham.gov.uk/news/article/2249/oldham_mills_strategy_provides_pioneering_plan_for_future_of_borough_s_mills