THE DEBATE over a site for a new £17milllion Saddleworth School rages on as the Educational Funding Agency has agreed to consider the current Uppermill site as well as a move to Diggle.
Saddleworth School headteacher Matthew Milburn announced to the school’s technical committee that a detailed feasibility study is now underway by the EFA.
The study will look into the best place to build the new school and includes the Uppermill site as well as the controversial site at Huddersfield Road, Diggle.
Save Diggle Action Group (SDAG) say intense lobbying and across protests across Saddleworth have led to the government funding agency deciding to relook at the current location.
SDAG spokesperson, Cllr Mike Buckley, commented: “This is excellent news and knocks on the head propaganda issued by Oldham that the move is a done deal.
“Recent local elections sent a strong message to the powers-that-be that Saddleworth residents regard the school move to Diggle as a great mistake and want to see it remain in Uppermill.”
In April, Oldham Council announced final legal agreements to deliver a new school for 1,500 pupils at Diggle had been signed by the local authority and its partners, subject to planning approval.
A feasibility study and design meetings will now take place between the council, the school, the EFA and builders Interserve – considering both sites.
Cllr Buckley added: “At last someone is listening to what the people of Saddleworth want.
“The proposed site in Diggle is fraught with planning and technical problems, none of which exist in Uppermill.
“The plans we put forward for building in Uppermill we believe will also cost less than building in Diggle.
“These plans were never properly considered, either by Oldham Council or the EFA. We will now be contacting the EFA to ask them to look seriously at our proposals.”
The decision to consider the Uppermill site has been welcomed by the Saddleworth Liberal Democrats, who said in a statement: “The Liberal Democrats welcome the EFA’s U-Turn in belatedly agreeing to specify up-to-date costs for constructing a new Saddleworth Secondary School at the Diggle sites and at the current school in Uppermill.
“We have repeatedly pressed both Oldham Council and the EFA to do this but they have hitherto refused.
“Saddleworth’s Liberal Democrats publicly pledge to accept whichever location comes out on top in the EFA’s new appraisal to secure the Government’s £17million funding for a new school.
“The same public pledge is needed now from Mike Buckley, Nikki Kirkham and the Saddleworth Independent councillors, Conservatives, Labour and UKIP and Diggle Community Association. Saddleworth cannot risk missing out on a new school.”
Saddleworth School headmaster Mr Milburn confirmed: “I have given an update to the technical committee, which comprises of local people.
“But the results of the EFA feasibility study will not be known for some time,” he added.
You must be logged in to post a comment.