Hotel conversion at Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Oldham Planning Committee on 2 Jul 2025.
What was proposed
The application sought to change the Civic Centre Tower from offices to a hotel, with about 126 bedrooms potentially accommodated.
“Proposal: Change of use of Civic Centre Tower from office (Use Class E(c)) to hotel (Use Class C1)”
“The application relates to the existing 15 storey Civic Tower which was built in the 1970s in connection with the larger Civic Centre complex.”
Officer report
The site today
The 15-storey tower is vacant, stands beside the bus station and was previously used for local authority offices.
“The building was previously utilised as local authority offices with a public reception area on the ground floor. It is now vacant following the transfer of functions to the Spindles.”
Officer report
Planning history
A wider redevelopment application is pending, while an earlier telecommunications application was approved in 2013.
“OUT/354338/25 - Hybrid planning application seeking: - 1. Permission for demolition of existing buildings. Full planning permission for residential development (Block A) (Use Class C3) with associated access, servicing, parking, public realm and landscaping. 3.”
“PA/333862/13 - Replacement of 5 no. antennas, additional 1 no. antenna, 1 no. dish and 2 no. equipment cabinets. Approved 16 May 2013”
Officer report
Consultation and concerns
Highways requested clarification on servicing, United Utilities raised no objections subject to using existing drainage, and three representations raised concerns.
“Highways Officer Clarification will be required for servicing arrangements…”
“United Utilities No objections on the assumption that existing drainage connections will be used.”
Officer report
Who spoke
The applicant attended the meeting and addressed the committee about the application.
The committee vote
Councillors voted 14 to 1 in favour of approval, with no abstentions.
“It was MOVED by Councillor Iqbal and SECONDED by Councillor Cosgrove that the application be APPROVED.”
“On being put to the vote 14 VOTES were cast IN FAVOUR OF APPROVAL and 1 VOTES were cast AGAINST with 0 ABSTENTIONS.”
Minutes
The decision
The application was granted subject to the conditions set out in the officer report.
“DECISION: That the application be GRANTED subject to the conditions as outlined in the report.”
Minutes
Sources
- Oldham Planning Committee minutes, 2 July 2025
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Oldham's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Oldham Planning Committee
- Council
- Oldham
- Date
- Wednesday 2 July 2025
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- Oldham committee decisions →
This committee's year
6 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.