11 Oct. 2025: A former paper mill in Greenfield will be demolished after it fell into 'poor condition'. The mill was the site of Robert Fletcher Ltd, a manufacturer of cigarette papers and fine tissues, which closed in 2001 after the company fell into financial trouble following more than 200 years in business.

The mill dates back to 1791 as a woollen mill and evolved through phases of industrial growth, fires, and rebuilding.

It is currently owned by Whiteoak Limited, part of the Purico Group, and has been vacant since the closure.

While the site is 'secured and patrolled', planning documents state it has suffered from unauthorised entry, metal theft and arson.

The mill lies off Chew Valley Road and is neighboured by Dovestone Reservoir and Dovestone Holiday Park.

The site is made up of several buildings, and all but three will be demolished under the plans.

The three buildings that will remain are the Time Office, Turbine House, and Filter House, which are all non-designated heritage assets.

The heritage and reuse assessment outlined the future of the site.

It said: "Whiteoak Limited, the landowner, is developing a residential-led masterplan for the mill site.

"The emerging masterplan has been informed by the findings of a range of technical and viability studies and has been submitted to Oldham Council for pre-application advice.

"This process has been paused to allow the Examination in Public of Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan (Greater Manchester) to determine the future allocation of the site."

The plans stated that the building will be 'soft stripped' with machine demolition of the building and the grubbing up of foundations and hard standings.

The works will take place between 7am and 6pm on weekdays and 7am and 1pm on Saturday, and the environmental health officer has raised no concerns with the application.

The planning officer's report said: "Conditions are recommended to ensure either the necessary Natural England (NE) licence, or confirmation from NE that a licence is not required, is provided prior to additional demolition works taking place.

"In addition, a precautionary method of working will be required to ensure disturbance to Great Crested Newt within the adjacent ponds is avoided, along with ensuring the absence of nesting birds.

"Given the location of the building, the proposed method of demolition is acceptable."

By Jessica Rothwell, https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk