RESIDENTS’ CALLS for the Saddleworth and Lees District Executive to back a new £17million school in Uppermill were frustrated as the group insisted they will support whatever decision the Education Funding Agency takes.
Oldham Council announced in April that it has signed final legal agreements to purchase land on Huddersfield Road in Diggle, subject to successful planning permission, for a new school for 1,500 pupils aged 11-16.
But the EFA revealed earlier this month they are considering both the current location in Uppermill and the plot at Diggle as potential places to build.
Keith Lucas, from the Save Diggle Action Group, approached the District Executive at their meeting last night to request their backing as they fight to keep the school in Uppermill.
He asked: “Now the EFA have stated they have yet to make a decision on the location of the new school, would the District Executive support Saddleworth residents in asking for the new school to be built on the existing site in Uppermill?”
He added: “It is confusing residents whether you will support them or the EFA.”
The EFA are working on a feasibility study of both sites with their technical advisors, which will then be approved and released to building contractors Interserve.
Cllr Val Sedgwick, who has replaced Barbara Beeley as chair of the District Executive, said the group will stand by the agency’s decision to make sure a new school goes ahead.
“We all want a new school for Saddleworth. If we lose this money and the school, the children could be farmed out across Oldham,” she said.
“We welcome the EFA’s decision to look at both sites and we will go with their decision.”
Cllr Garth Harkness added: “It is a bit late in the day coming. The EFA needs to start answering some questions and look at things properly.
“Then I will support the decision of where they want to build a new school.”
Cllr John Hudson hopes a decision from the EFA will finally help to move along the process, with the new school currently expected to open in 2016.
He said: “I am sure looking at both sites will be welcomed by the leader of the council and the cabinet member as it is in the best interests to do that.
“But this could go on forever and when the EFA come back with a decision we have to support that.
“We have to do what the EFA says as they are the ones with the money. We have no power at this level but I take exception to people who say we don’t have Saddleworth’s best interests at heart.”
Cllr Nicola Kirkham, an independent representing Saddleworth North on Oldham Council, believes she won her seat in May by listening to residents’ concerns about the new school.
She said: “All we are asking is the EFA take into consideration the feasibility of building in Uppermill.
“It has been made out that we are a group trying to rid Saddleworth of a new school but that is not the case.”
The Save Diggle Action Group’s ‘Don’t move Saddleworth School’ petition has now acquired more than 2,500 signatures and members have erected a huge banner in Diggle protesting against a move.
Cllr Mike Buckley, spokesperson for the Save Diggle Action Group, said in a statement after the meeting: “I was a very disappointing by the Councillors’ response.
“They are continuing to ignore the views of the people who elected them.
“Their position is unchanged. They don’t care where the school is built and they will continue to sit on the fence and leave the residents to do the campaigning.”
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