Selwyn Street

The developer was forced to demolish existing flats on the site because of a lack of demand resulting from a change in the demographic profile of the area and the subsequent need for larger family homes.

The Housing Corporation approved a replacement housing scheme for local families in late 2004, with additional funding from Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder, making it their first project.

The adjacent open space had housing demolished some 20 years before and was included in the project with funding secured from SRB. The client engaged architects TADW who had previous experience of designing housing for multi-ethnic groups, and Camlin Lonsdale were appointed to design the pocket park.

Extensive consultation took place with local tenants groups regarding their requirements for both housing and pocket park. The HMR's Planning and Design Officer and Oldham MBC planners were able to see and comment on designs and layouts at an early stage of the design process.

Camlin Lonsdale (CABE Space corporate advisors) were asked by the client to design the housing's gates, railings and ceramic tiles for porches using ideas drawn from resident consultation in the park. Planning approval was granted in October 2004, work started on site in March 2005, and both housing and park were finished in autumn 2006.