SADDLEWORTH INDEPENDENT councillors are to petition Oldham Council and the Education Funding Agency to build a new multi-million pound secondary school in Uppermill.
They plan to present a 3,000-strong petition signed by parents, residents and businesses urging the new school remains in the village rather than move to Diggle.
Earliy in summer, the EFA said it would make a decision on the site of the new £17 million pound school for 1,500 students, with an announcement expected in Autumn.
Now, OMBC Independent Councillor, Nikki Kirkham and Saddleworth Parish councillors Mike Buckley, Rob Knotts, Lesley Brown and Lesley Schofield have written to the EFA chief executive requesting the wishes of local people are fully taken into consideration.
They are also seeking a date to present their petition to key officials.
The location of the new school has been the hottest topic of discussion across villages and raged for around 12 months.
An announcement by Oldham Council to build the school in Diggle was overturned in June following a meeting between Saddleworth Independent councillors and the EFA and it was decided to include the Uppermill site as an option.
Since then feasibility studies have been carried out at the school’s present location off High Street, Uppermill, and at two other potential Diggle sites off Huddersfield Road.
OMBC and Saddleworth Parish councillor, Nikki Kirkham, said: “The EFA have said the school can be built in Uppermill, it just boils down to cost.
“We are convinced it will cost a lot less to build the school in Uppermill as the playing fields and public transport arrangements are already in place.
“It all hinges on whether Oldham Council will subsidise the EFA costs in Diggle,” she emphasised.
“Oldham Council money should be used to improve the school itself not on the expensive groundwork necessary in Diggle.
“Traffic is an insurmountable problem in Diggle and there is a real concern over pedestrian safety.
“We have written to the EFA highlighting the concerns of the Saddleworth community.
“We also have requested Cllr McMahon, Leader of Oldham Council, meets with us to receive the petition and discuss these concerns.
“To date the people of Saddleworth have never been consulted,” she added.
The Councillors also plan to petition Debbie Abrahams, MP for Saddleworth and Oldham East, and Minister of State for Schools David Laws.
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