A HEATED debate filled the Civic Hall in Uppermill as locals took their last opportunity at a public meeting to ask questions about applications for a new Saddleworth School in Diggle.
Police and stewards were drafted in as a precaution as around 100 residents gathered to hear a presentation by Stephen Irvine, Head of Planning and Infrastructure at Oldham Council.
He was joined by Mark Ollerenshaw, planning officer at OMBC, to answer questions from the public about four applications around a school at the former WH Shaw pallet works site on Huddersfield Road.
The applications cover the demolition of five existing buildings, demolition of a listed link bridge, construction of the new school and provision of a parental drop-off and residents’ car parking area.
The new £19.2 million school, for 1,500 pupils and 189 staff, is being funded by the government and managed by the Education Funding Agency (EFA) and has a life expectancy of 60-70 years.
The applicant states in the planning application that benefits will include a “brand new school fit for purpose”, which offers a “comfortable and inspiring learning environment”.
They say it will also bring additional jobs to the community, highways improvements and new and improved habitats and biodiversity.
But various aspects of the four applications were challenged by the public, with key concerns including building sports pitches on the greenbelt and a flood plain, and noise and light pollution.
There were also issues raised around the highways proposals and safety, including disappointment that the stone wall on Huddersfield Road will be removed to widen the footpath.
Mr Irvine admitted: “I am aware there are negative aspects and significant issues but are they enough to reject the applications?
“I am not sitting here telling you it is the perfect site. But there is a need for a new school and there are clear benefits from building it here, such as creating new jobs and clearing that site up.”
Numerous questions brought up the selection of the site in Diggle rather than rebuilding at the school’s current location in Uppermill.
But Mr Irvine insisted: “There was a thorough site assessment and the applicant found building the school on the current site would have a ‘profound impact on attainment of the pupils’.”
In response to a question about progress if the applications are rejected, he added: “There is no plan B from the applicant, there is no alternative.”
The applications also seek to introduce a car park for residents at 20-44 and 29-43 Huddersfield Road, along with a layby for up to 10 vehicles for parents dropping off pupils.
But worries that pupils must cross two roads from there to reach the school were highlighted, along with a lack of parking for staff.
And one concerned resident pointed out: “There is already a rat-run in Diggle in the morning for parents dropping off children at the primary school and nursery.
“Has this traffic been taken into account alongside the increase for the new school, as well as the numerous buses that will come in and out of the village?”
Mr Irvine’s frequently heard response of “I am not trying to dodge the question but I am not a highways expert and I’ll have to ask them” was met with cries of “it’s just common sense.”
One man was asked to leave the room to calm down for ten minutes after repeated interruptions, but left amicably after the situation was resolved, confirmed police.
Mr Irvine promised to seek answers to concerns raised and publish details before a decision is made on the applications by Oldham Council’s planning committee on Thursday, February 25.
He said he will be particularly looking at proposals to put a grass pitch on the flood plain in greenbelt land as that area was submerged during recent floods at Christmas.
And investigations are ongoing to determine if a factory building attached to the listed link bridge and listed clock tower, which will not be demolished, is also considered a heritage asset.
Mr Irvine concluded: “I have learned a lot even if I haven’t been able to answer all your questions immediately.
“There is a need for a new school but I will have to weigh up all the negatives and positives and put forward my recommendation as to whether we should be granting permission for the applications or not.”
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