Jim McMahon, Leader of Oldham Council
Are residents of Saddleworth better informed and being consulted following the public meeting, organised by Saddleworth Parish Council on Wednesday 27th September at the Civic Centre, Uppermill? The leader of Oldham Council, Jim McMahon and the head of Saddleworth School, Mathew Millburn sat on the panel and fielded questions from both councillors and the public.
Councillors Rob Knotts and Mike Buckley explained why the Parish Council had requested the meeting explaining that they were concerned that, to date, there has been no consultation with residents and parents of Saddleworth on the proposals for a new secondary school. Mike Buckley pointed out that, at the speed negotiation s are progressing, there is potentially too little time for residents to be consulted in advance of the final decision.
The purpose of the meeting was to inform residents of what is known about the present proposals and to open a dialogue with Oldham Council. Also, it would allow the public to voice their opinion, highlight their concerns and seek reassurance about the issues faced.
Was this achieved? To a point. Jim McMahon confirmed what the audience already knew. They could not be consulted on the choice of site and the limited budget would ultimately control the outcome.
Issues raised at the meeting:
- If the preferred site is Diggle, what are the access arrangements? How will this impact on the quality of life for residents of Diggle? Why to-date has a traffic survey not been undertaken? What attention has been given to health and safety?
- Where will the school be located on the site? Will the cost of cleaning contaminated soil and other groundwork push the school onto the two green fields close to the road?
- Will the school have sporting facilities?
- Will there be any additional housing built on the site?
- Will the new school building be of a high standard and be sympathetic to the environment?
- What is the future for the listed building on the site?
Mathew Millburn said that the quality of education at Saddleworth School is very good and the only thing failing the children is the building. He viewed the proposals for a new school to be a positive move forward.
Jim McMahon commented that his hands were tied by the constraints set by central government in particular Educational Funding Authoriy (EFA). However as Mike Buckley pointed out other options are still available, for example to develop the current site.
The EFA have stipulated that a new school cannot be built on the present site as it is not large enough. They point out that there are obvious issues with the topography and health and safety. The logistics of building a new school, for 1500 pupils, on a constrained site are unworkable whilst the existing school remains operational.
As a result, they have stated that the £15million currently on offer must be used for a new build and that Oldham Council should identify their preferred site quickly or risk losing the funding.
Diggle News would be interested to know what you think. Please leave a comment below.
So Saddleworth getting a brand new (second rate as far as school building budgets go) school. Most new school builds in Oldham have been nearer £30 million not the the proposed £16million for Saddleworth. Its going to be build in Diggle village without any infrastructure facilities for over 1,300 pupils and its support staff.
Where do the students go? Where are the shops and facilities, traffic lights or pavements to keep children safe and satisfied. Or are they going lock the children in at lunch breaks?
How do Uppermill retail businesses feel about the loss of revenue from students buying “tuck” on a daily basis from the local shops?
The future plan is just madness and is really about Oldham Council grabbing money where ever its available.
This is not an anti-school rant. Of course Saddleworth deserves a a modern school. . At a residents meeting on the 25th September. The leader of the council told residents that the school was going to be built in Diggle no matter what!. So much for the proud call of open and cooperative local government!
He also said the new school build would be on a grid system at the new site. But with proper planning, over the last 5 years a grid redevelopment could have been proffered on the present Saddleworth School site. He was asked about the traffic and infrastructure, a major concern for residents in Diggle. He offered no idea about that, or is that the plan is so politically sensitive he didn’t want to tell local residents.
Hello, I was at this meeting and I agree with everything you say. I live near the junction of Standedge Road and Huddersfield Road people know the build up of traffic there is horrendous at times especially when two buses or waggons are trying to pass one another. I just came away whth the impression the school is going ahead no matter what and that they are being very secretive about the access you could not get a straight answer on this subject, I would have thought the access would have been the first priority.
Whatever is decided the end of diggle needs to be looked at. It causes so much frustration when you constantly have to pull in and wait because people come through even if there’s no room. Even though doulble yellow lines were painted they are not far enough round. The main culprit is the stone wall as you drive into diggle you have to edge out to see if anything is coming n the opposite direction, if you don’t you can’t see until its too late, cannot this wall be re aligned or something as I think its bowing out just at eye level.
Oldham council have always chosen the stupid if not daft way of replacing schools! they do not care about local residents one little bit.
its all about land grabbing. just look at waterhead academy where breezehill and counthill schools got merged and crammed onto a tiny school site.
considering the amount of budget avaliable to the council/school. wouldnt it be better to just replace the older parts of the existing school.
most recent local press has been carfully manipulated to make out that the existing school is from the early 1900’s.
utter nonesence! only the uppermill technical school building dates back to the 1900’s. which currently houses only five classrooms, a staff room and the canteens. (its similar in design to an old primary school of that era).
the next part is main block which was built in the 1960’s. this houses quite a few classrooms plus the main hall and gym. this could possibly need replacing now as its of concrete construction clad with stone. but considering its age and the era it was built in, its actually in good condition and only really needs refurbishment.
the rest of the school (what used to be junior block and fifth year blocks plus the main sports hall are from the late 1970’s) are brick type construction and in very good condition. again all thats needed is a bit of refurbishment to elements of it.
i’ve worked on countless schools construction projects throughout the northwest and in most cases the local authority has been realistic and just extended and modernised existing school sites.
saddleworth schools existing site has more than enough scope to build a new building whilst keeping existing facilities open until the new sections are completed.
Agree Stuart. I’m not against the school, in fact I welcome it here in Diggle. I just wish that consultation had taken place before the decision had been taken. Then the Parents of current and future students as well as local residents views can be taken on board and considered in the planning stage.
This is a repeat of the so-called democracy involved in the refurbishment of Churchill Playing Fields. Tunnel vision created by looking at figures on a spreadsheet, and forgetting just what matters whilst rushing to take the cash. The consultation is just going to be a “ticking the box” exercise, which is a massive opportunity lost.
I heard the plan is to put double yellow lines all the way down and provide off road parking
facilities for the houses on the right as you turn in off the Standedge Road or maybe they could
do a compulsory purchase on these drop them, widen the road they could move on to the new huge estate
which will replace the existing school.
Why these expressions of surprise at the lack of openness? We should all know by now that the only thing Oldham Council cares about in relation to Saddleworth is its ability to generate council tax revenue. OMBC have done bugger all for Saddleworth except tart up Uppermill Square and redevelop Churchill paying fields without a running track despite the pleas of various interested parties (so much for consultation). They came out with the same lame excuses about losing the funding if things were delayed as they are now. Not to mention Tesco in Greenfield and their cowardly failure to insist on a new building in harmony with its surroundings or which retained some of the historic mill.
I agree with Angry Diggler about the refurbishment of the existing school. The funding agency apparently decreed that the site was not suitable as it was too small and to rebuild, while the school was in operation, would have presented too many difficulties. I have strong feeling that the decision was taken without any real chsllenge to this statement by the Local Authority. The present site I believe is big enough. Temporary accommodation could have been found for the school for a few months while the main part of the construction was underway. At the time this decision was taken, OMBC had two empty schools nearby at Counthill and Breeze Hill. There was an indecent haste to demolish these once these schools had moved to Waterhead academy, apparently without any consideration of what would happen if an alternative site could not be found for Saddleworth school. I am very much in favour of a new school, but not at any cost. There is no urgency in my opinion, the timescales have been imposed by central government. Saddleworth has to be completed by the end of 2015, yet the programme runs until 2017. Why the rush? Wouldn’t it have been much better to have consulted widely over alternatives and have taken time to get a solution that everyone could support and be pleased with?
On Wednesday night Jim McMahon, the leader of Oldham Council, was in a positive and constructive mood promising consultation. The reality is though, that the major decisions will have been taken by the time anyone gets to have a say. Having said that, I and other members of the Parish Council will do or best to open up the debate so that as many decisions as possible can be aired before they become a fait accompli.
I am particularly concerned about access arrangements and cannot see an easy solution to the congestion at the entrance to Huddersfied Road. I get a strong feeling that this issue has yet to be properly considered by Oldham Council. Hopefully it will be before the plans are signed off. This was not the case with the Waterhead Academy, where we were told the traffic arrangements would be finalised after planning permission had been obtained. I was the only member of the planning committee that voted against the proposals because of the absence of this vital information.
Councillor Mike Buckley
Representing Diggle and Dobcross,
Saddleworth Parish Council.
I also attended the meeting on Wednesday as a concerned Diggle resident living close to the proposed site and hoped that I would leave the meeting reassured and positive about the plans ahead. Unfortunately this was not the case and I left with the impression that key decisions with regard to location of the school building, appearance, access etc will be dictated by the limited budget available and not what is best for the surroundings, the residents of Diggle and, very importantly, the students of the school.
Despite various reasons being given in response to the question of why the existing Saddleworth School site cannot be used, the answer seemed to come down to the fact that the £15m being offered by the government is for new builds and not for refurbishment. Therefore, once again, very important decisions about the future of our area are being made in response to this one offer of money which comes with many conditions, without looking at the bigger picture and what is best for Saddleworth.
Having spoken to people in the area recently, it would appear that many did not know about the recent meeting at the Civic Hall so I hope that many more people will attend the public meeting on 16 October to find out more information about a development that will affect us all.
i agree with all the issues and concerns raised by Diggle residents and Oldham Council should address them with an open and transparent response. However I am deeply concerned about about the very real prospect of houses being built in the valley all the way along the canal meeting up with Ward Lane,where outlying planning permission has already been given for 12 houses of an ‘aspirational nature’ thus generating money for OMBC via council tax. I would not be at all surprised if this is going on behind the scenes now as we were told at the meeting that negotiations were politically sensitive! I am not against the school being built in Diggle, although I do think we are in this horrendous position because of mismanagement by the local council as they have known about the need to find a site for at least 4 years. Did we really need a new pub, a marina and a Tesco when land in Saddleworth is in such short supply? OMBC appear to regard Saddleworth, not as a unique, beautiful and historic area but as a cash cow, raising funds for projects that we have no say on – not even our own school! We must get an absolute assurance that if the school goes ahead there will not be any more building in the valley and that the children get the sports fields and school of the standard that other children in the borough enjoy. If even more houses are built what will the access to the village be like then?
I agree with those favouring refurbishing the existing site. Why waste money to build a completely new building in a much smaller and less equipped area (shops, cafe’s and such for kids at break times) when they know it will cause problems with the entrance and exit to Diggle and other issues?
The council will do whatever they want regardless of what people say so this comment is most likely ignored anyway. However I think the main priority is going to be the residents of Saddleworth particularly the residents of Diggle and how it will affect them.
I just hope this new ‘modern’ school won’t ruin our beautiful countryside views with a big ugly Waterhead Academy like building.
I wanted to provide some comments. Your three OMBC ward councillors have been meeting council officials and have written to the Minister for Schools, David Laws MP about the situation and he does highlight that local people and local elected members should be fully involved. I was promised a public meeting way before this by Oldham council but to my annoyance they changed their minds and would consult when the preferred site had been announced. The meeting on Wednesday hopefully will begin the period of genuine consultation (that is what I will be pushing for)
Were we are now though is that there is a statutory obligation that people have to be consulted through the planning process and am told before too. I have also been told that they expect to do some consultation before any plans are submitted. Access, design etc. all need to be looked into as part of the process. I would urge people to become actively engaged in this process.
One of the main issues that needs to be resolved is access. I fully agree and it is an issue that needs to be resolved. We have had several meetings with officers about this and other issues and are hopeful of a sensible solution although discussions are still ongoing. One suggestion that needs further investigation is double yellow lines on Huddersfield Road with a car park at one end.
We should ensure that our young people are given the best opportunity and accommodation possible. This scheme is not as extensive as previous schemes but they were pulled as part of the financial crisis. This scheme is for those schools caught up and we have to make the best of it.
The existing Saddleworth School site has been rejected by inspectors. The scheme could be withdrawn by the government if they see too much opposition and someone else will get it. I do not want this to happen. I urge that people should be positive but provide constructive criticism. We desperately need a new school and I support a new school in Diggle but we need to overcome the obstacles.
Cllr Garth Harkness
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Saddleworth North
The other main concern I have is the 15million pound budget which they have allocated for the project. What do the expect to build for that kind of money? Waterhead academy cost twice that figure. Houses less pupils than saddleworth and was on a much smaller site too.
Waterhead academy was also constructed in the cheapest possible way utilising a steel frame and cladding to the exterior.
Considering the Diggle site a large amount of groundworks will have to be undertaken before building as historically shaws always had flooding in the lower yard in heavy rain.
Not to mention that the surrounding fields act as a flood plain for the river to prevent flooding higher up the village.
Their budget is just not realistic.
I also attended the public meeting on Wednesday evening. The reason for calling the meeting was to allow the people of Saddleworth to raise issues, ask questions and have their say. To that end, the meeting was successful. Cllr. McMahon answered for OMBC, Mr. Millburn for Saddleworth School. I believe both men were as open and honest as they were able, in the circumstances. Cllr. McMahon said he would open a dialogue with the Parish Council and arrange an early meeting. I expect him to keep his word.
The only body not represented was the EFA. I would like them to let us see their report on the present Uppermill site and any others considered. It has been the perceived secrecy surrounding this project, which has led to present concerns of dodgy deals, hidden agendas, weak officials or a lack of proper scrutiny of EFA decisions.
There are those who don’t want anything built on the Diggle site. Those who want to refurbish the existing school or believe a new school could be built on the present site. Those who fear Diggle’s infrastructure would never cope. Or those who go along with the idea but still have reservations and those who fully support it. All are entitled to their view. However, a decision has to be made and soon.
I believe a newly built school, on the best available site, is our best option. The most obvious benefits being; it will have new walls, new roof, new foundations, new glazing, new heating, new electrics, new classrooms, new sports facilities and more. Most importantly for present and future generations of children and their teachers, it will have a settled future.
Cllr. Neil Allsopp
Saddleworth Parish Council
Dear cllr Allsopp. I would question the quality of all the new walls, roof, foundations, glazing, heating, electrics and others you have said this will give the pupils and teachers a good settled future. For 15 million that quality is going to be so poor that the school might as well as stayed put.
Having worked on dozens of New build and extended secondary school/ academies in the northwest (including the new mossley hollins) this current proposed budget just will not cover the cost of a good quality building and its required infrastructure.
A budget like that will only build a sub-standard school that will only have a life span of 30 years at best.
Not the great outlook many people think this proposal would bring.
It was quite clear from the meeting on Wednesday that this was an issue that has been around for 2 years with Diggle being the prime site from then. My concerns were the comments from the head teacher – this will be a “Compromised Site.” So the 15million may sound like an attractive offer, but for a compromised site – this is not going to give the children of Saddleworth the ideal learning environment. I suppose, I’m resided to the fact that this is going to go ahead without our say so – after all, how much other consultation has OMBC ignored ?
My big question in all this is the hidden agenda of housing. We have a very well appointed (smart lawyers) builder in this area who must be rubbing his hands with glee right now awaiting the sale of his land and the purchase of the old school for “large housing.”
Is it no wonder that the playing fields did not get a running track – of course not, it’s less for a developer to rip up to put housing in.
If you put the school at the bottom of the valley, more housing can be slotted in around it … this is the biggest concern here – this additional weight into the district at a time when the OMBC is having its funding cut. Reduced policing, failing NHS facilities – the government infrastructure in Saddleworth cannot cope and adding more residents will only worsen the situation.
As an aside – do PFI schools still exist … Privately funded initiatives. The school could potentially get private companies to help renovate the existing school, cutting out government funding with growth to the local economies. I wonder if this is an avenue that has been explored ?
ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM!!!
Everyone is missing the REAL reason behind choosing Diggle as a location for the new school. It’s nothing to do with size or location, it’s simply that the existing Uppermill site is three times as valuable for residential redevelopment as the site in Diggle.
So the Uppermill site will be sold to developers who’ll build large luxury homes with high council tax bands and everybody at Oldham Council will be happy.
And the kids will have to travel 2 miles to buy those tasty lunchtime sausage rolls
What a travesty
In response to Angry Diggler. I would like to point out that government funding, for any project, is very hard to come by. Neither they nor the EFA would waste scarce financial resources building a school of sub-standard construction. Furthermore, the schools cited e.g. Mossley Hollins, were built by a government whose spending was out of control. We simply can’t accept any project they were involved in was “value for money”. Recent information has revealed project after project, commissioned by the last government, to be massively over budget or a complete waste of money. We could all do well to remember the old adage “all that glisters is not gold”.
Stu Coulson expresses an interest in PFI schemes. Sadly, this must the most expensive method, ever devised, for funding construction projects of this type. However, it was the preferred method used by Gordon Brown when Chancellor of the Exchequer because the costs didn’t show up as Government borrowing. Even though they really were. Also, it fitted in with his “live now, pay later” attitude to the economy. If anyone is in any doubt, just take a look at the NHS hospitals up and down the country built under PFI, now struggling to meet the long-term costs of this flawed financial model. Attractive? Yes. Expensive? Very. Affordable? No.
Everyone who visited the Doncaster school, similar to that proposed, were most impressed with what they saw. Furthermore, Mr. Millburn, head teacher of Saddleworth School, has stated that the proposed school and sports field will fully meet the needs of pupils and staff. I trust his judgment and his word.
It would be very interesting to see the designs for the Doncaster school. It’s original site conditions and what groundworks had to be undertaken before construction could commence.
The Diggle site as I have mentioned above is not exactly simple. It needs careful consideration as to the management of the water course. As the surrounding fields act as the flood prevention in the village above and also down stream towards uppermill.
Also remember this school is our children’s future. And with that in mind it had to be futureproof.
Recent building regulations state that modern construction projects must meet stringent targets on sustainable construction methods and higher than average green credentials. Like thermal mass and solar gain. These methods effectively reduce the overall running costs of heating and energy consumption. And in most cases local authorities have adopted these into their designs.
All except Oldham council. None of their builds incorporated these. Meaning in the future when energy becomes more expensive, Oldham will be paying much more than other councils.
Waterhead academy had very little groundworks to undertake. The build was a simple and cheap steel frame with brickwork panel cladding. Yet had a budget of £26 million.
My question is what is the proposed school going to consist of. Bearing in mind it should blend in with the existing buildings that are nearby to the site
With that in mind it should be stone. Which costs a hefty amount. Or is this like in many other cases around oldham, not going to even be considered and blending into the surroundings is not even factored.
It all just seems far too rushed and not thought out. Building schools for future projects under the labour government where in part a success. But Oldham council where very slow off the mark in getting such schemes going.
Now they seem the complete opposite trying to rush a scheme through which doesn’t take into consideration the local community, no consideraion to the massive increase in traffic, the financial viability of the build realistically, future proofing of our children’s education and also their safety getting to school.
What is all the rush about. Iron out all the problems and we may get a good school.
Ignore everything and we’ll end up with problems in the future.
Having looked a little further into the benchmark school in Doncaster being used to compare I think I have found it.
I have come to the conclusion it is Outwood Academy in Ardwick.
Which starts to ring alarm bells as soon as I start to look at the construction phase photos documented.
This school was built on a simple flat site with little
Groundworks being undertaken.
It was a plain and if not ugly cube like structure with very little surrounding architecture to blend in with.
Also already the cost listed at 16 million exceeds the 15 million we supposedly have to spend.
I may add it has taken into account the thermal mass design in its concrete floors. But outwood academy is on a flat and open area of ground.
Diggle is in a valley and does not have as much direct sunlight. This will greatly affect its ability to absorb solar rays to heat the building.
I absolutely agree with the comments above of Angry Diggler – the obvious problems need to be considered before these plans go any further.
Interesting link to who acquired site for the new school in Nov 2009. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/12m-contract-for-pr-939658
For this and other thoughts regarding the site for the new school have a look and follow @savediggle on Twitter
There are clearly some issues with the site at Diggle but is seems the only option. We need a new school in Saddleworth as the current building is not up to standard. People being NiMBYS rather than caring about educating the kids is just selfish. It’s not as much as previous but then the government aren’t exactly flush. It will be a lot better than what we have now.
I would like to comment on the remark made by Best for our kids. Its not a case of us being NIMBYS its a case of the access if you have read all the comments that is what most people are concerned about and we don’t seem to be getting any answers, we are not being selfish myself and the residents who this concerns, deserve to be considered as well it is what suits everybody not just the children and their parents a lot who dont even live here.
Re ‘best for our kids’
I too want a better option for the children of Saddleworth that’s why I am so opposed to the Diggle location. There are more than just ‘a few’ issues with the site – it is a compromise too far. There is a better option and this is what we must challenge O.M.B.C on.
As for the ‘Not in My Back Yard’ the school will be the backyard, the front garden, the side garden, and the drive way! Diggle is a VILLAGE and as such should be allowed to flourish yet retain it’s uniqueness as a Saddleworth VILLAGE.
I went for a walk in my village today – It felt good, great views and a real sense of pride about the area where I have lived for many years, then I cast my eyes over to the fields & the Dobcross Loom works from the view point down the canal. I tried to envisage a 1500 pupil school with floodlit sports pitches and ‘out of the box’ architecture. It was then knew that I was right, was not ‘selfish’ and was committed to ‘SAVE DIGGLE’.
For this and other thoughts regarding the site for the new school have a look and follow @savediggle on Twitter
The proposals for a new school as they stand appear to have been arrived at hurriedly, with a minimal amount of consultation. As a former student of Saddleworth School (2000-2005) I know that there are problems at present, but it is unnecessary to uproot the whole school to Diggle. Yes, there are class rooms, which are lacking in the latest equipment, and yes, some classes are still taught in ‘temporary’ portacabins, but this does not justify what is being proposed – in the long-term a school rebuilt on the present site is by far the preferable solution.
I would firstly challenge the idea, which appears to have some support, that new schools correlate with better results. The best experiences I had at Saddleworth, which gave me the academic foundation to go on to study at Greenhead College and then Oxford University, were found not in shiny new buildings, but in talented and inspirational teachers. Indeed at my Oxford college, I was given a world-class education but was never taught in a building post-dating 1900. Thus, arguing that the children ‘deserve’ a new school makes no sense – the students at Saddleworth now, and to come, deserve the best tuition that is possible, and this really should be the focus of decision-makers in Whitehall and Oldham.
But I know that the funding on offer is to be pumped into buildings and not teachers, and so the question to be addressed is how that money ought to be spent. There are very good arguments for retaining the school on its present site. Firstly, Uppermill, has always had the infrastructure to support over 1,000 children being transported into the village on a daily basis. This is certainly not the case in Diggle – Huddersfield Road is difficult enough to navigate as it is without the considerable added strain a new school would bring. Most importantly, however, are considerations centred on the landscape. A significant new building would mean green fields would be concreted over, and that the historically and architecturally significant buildings at the Loom Works would be lost or severely compromised. In addition, of course, the vast site at Uppermill, would be undoubtedly given over to housing, transforming Uppermill into a characterless, suburban town.
It is therefore the case that the proposals will merely serve to enrich the developers. The students at Saddleworth would benefit no more from a new school at Diggle than a restored school at Uppermill, whilst residents in both villages would suffer from the onslaught of housing developments the proposals would facilitate. I was privileged to grow up and be educated in Saddleworth, and therefore care passionately about both school and community. With a bit more careful thinking, a solution, based on a rebuilt school can be found – although this would be somewhat less beneficial to the developers, it would provide Saddleworth and its students with a brighter future.
Victor Khadem’s comments sum up the feelings of the majority of Saddleworth residents I have spoken to and I hope that people will challenge the proposals and not sit back and watch this happen.
Victor talks a lot of sense, and unlike most of us, from recent first hand experience.
I have forwarded his message to Councillor Brian Lord, chairman of governors and to Mr Milburn for their comments.
If only there really was transparency in all the goings-on for a new Saddleworth School! What a shame that so many of us have come to mistrust Oldham Council’s actions in Saddleworth regardless of how we are told that such actions are to benefit our residents. What a pity that we always seem to come at the bottom of the list for any expenditure which would benefit our local people and children. As previous comments have noted many of us feel that it will only be the developers who benefit – not much of a surprise really. As a parent who has seen all three children enjoy their time at Saddleworth School I would love to see a new school that can provide the facilities and accommodation that the existing school has lacked – so is this going to be the case if plans go ahead to build in Diggle? If all 25 acres are utilised to give our children and young people a great education and opportunity to develop their sporting and other abilities then that would be fantastic – but no-one from the Council and developers/landowners seem prepared to share that information. If the problem regarding access has been considered and resolved to ensure the safety of our children, young people and residents that, too, would be great news but once again the cloak of secrecy has been thrown. Oldham councillors have been elected by local people – surely it is time they respected their views!
I have 2 children at Saddleworth School one who will still be there post 2015.
I agree that the site is not practical and that there isn’t a bit enough pot to build a decent school.Surely the existing site is better! Also once the disputed ‘new school day’ starts next September on one day a week the children will be streaming out at 1pm to hang around in Diggle,Uppermill and Greenfield….Oh what joy!
I quote from the Saddleworth Parish Council’s own Saddleworth Parish Plan ( http://www.saddleworthparishcouncil.org.uk/images/pdfs/Saddleworth-Parish-Plan.pdf ), created after a survey in 2008 of Saddleworth residents, which as it states is “truly representative of local opinion”.
“Protecting the appearance and character of the villages was also rated very highly by respondents, 92% agreeing that this was important.”
“81% felt existing employment sites should be protected from residential or other development.”
“On the other hand many greenfield sites (sites not previously developed but outside the green belt) have been developed for housing in recent years as a result of planning policy and this has resulted in large areas of Saddleworth countryside being lost to suburban development. Prime examples of this can be found in Springhead, Diggle and Uppermill.”
“HOUSING, PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ACTIONS
10. Continue to resist building on greenfield sites and inappropriate development within the green belt.”
“The local economy of Saddleworth is significantly boosted by tourist activity. Its natural assets of moorland and valleys provide attractions for visitors, walkers and climbers unmatched anywhere else in the Borough. Tourists are also attracted to its villages for their Pennine character.”
Looking at the proposal of building a new School on the Diggle site, the Parish Plan highlights:
– Residents do not want any future developments that erode the character of our villages, which this will;
– Diggle was specifically named as a village which has lost so much of its open greenfield space in recent years, so the existing greenfield space Diggle still has is now so precious and should be protected;
– Existing employment sites, such as the Diggle site, should be used for employment, not for housing or other developments, such as a large school complex;
– One of the Parish Plan’s own actions from this survey is to resist building on greenfield sites, which the two front fields at the Diggle site are;
– Building a large school complex in the centre of the narrow valley of Diggle, viewable from the Huddersfield Narrow Canal towpath and surrounding hills, will be detrimental to the character of Diggle and Saddleworth as a whole, having a damaging effect on the tourist experience in this area, which our local economy relies so much on.
I would like to know how any member of the Saddleworth Parish Council could support the proposal of building a new School on the Diggle site, in light of their own Saddleworth Parish Plan, created from the opinions of Saddleworth residents, suggesting that it should be refused?
I don’t agree that the money is just for new build and not refurbishment.
Quoting an official statement from the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP on the 24 May 2012 at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/written-ministerial-statement-on-the-priority-school-building-programme he states:
“Today I can confirm that 261 schools will be rebuilt, or have their condition needs met through the Priority School Building programme (PSBP)”
The important thing here is the “.. or have their condition needs met ..” . Surely that means that the money can be used for refurbishment too.
Re ‘Upset Diggler’
Good points,well made – perhaps an elected representative of the Saddleworth Parish Council would care to comment?
For this and other thoughts regarding the site for the new school have a look and follow @savediggle on Twitter
A well-attended meeting at the Civic Hall last night. A range of views put across from both the panel and attendees. I couldn’t help coming away from the meeting with more questions than answers, so will be attending future meetings (or consultations, whichever Cllr Jim McMahon decides it will be).
1)First of all many thanks to the local residents associations for organising the meeting. It was clear the meeting was needed and perhaps the emotive nature of the questions/concerns from the public was a direct result on the lack of consulation so far. It is questionable why the meeting had to be arranged as a result of action from the associations and not by OMBC themselves. Furthermore at a cost of £250, of which attendees contributed to, in collection buckets on their way out – all in a public meeting to answer concerns over the new school.
2) It’s clear that the draft plan that was displayed, showing the school positioned adjacent to Huddersfield Road (and not at the back of the site) has come about due to cost. It’s also clear that in the “land-swap” the value of the lands being swapped are not of equal value – therefore leading to the new school being built on a shoestring budget whilst the old site is ripe for a luxury housing development. Is it any wonder there were heckles and animosity last night?
3) If not a school, then a commercial business would be built on the site – Yes, however no way would planning allow it to be built near the road – it would have to be built at the rear, as the school should be.
4) No-one considered the impact on Diggle Village, local tourism or emergency access for the tunnel in their consideration.
5) When the Chair of Diggle Community Association spoke he was speaking on behalf of the village, voicing their concerns. The fact that he was rebuffed by a clearly rattled Councillor McMahon spoke volumes about the arrogance of OMBC in the way they have handled this. I’d be interested to hear what Debbie Abrahams’ view on this is, as she said nothing all evening.
I’m all for the new school. Let’s have it here in Diggle. Only let’s have it in the right place and at the right price and not be hasty in swapping such valuable land for development. The value of the current school should be put into the development and construction of the new school. The pupils deserve better than what is being offered to them. Let’s not forget that Saddleworth needs jobs and services for the community, not more housing developments – we are gradually losing what makes the area unique in the first place.
I was unable to attend the meeting last night but I have been filled in on the relevant information regarding the proposed school.
It is very interesting that there now seems to be housing also being incorporated into the development as well as the retaining of the original mill site.
What are the odds that this will be demolished in future years to make way for more housing.
The council are taking every one for mugs. This is nothing at all about our children’s future education.
Follow the link to listen to the full Saddleworth School meeting from last night (16.10.13)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr3Kfps7geI&feature=youtu.be