Council set to debate the latest plans for Saddleworth School

Saddleworth School

Oldham Council’s Planning Committee is set to consider all four applications related to the proposed new Saddleworth School later this month.

The plans for the controversial £19m plan redevelopment have suffered a number of set backs since the scheme was first approved in March 2015.

Last year Environmental bosses refused to support the application due to flooding fears at the site just off Huddersfield Road, in Diggle.

An “extraordinary” meeting will now be taking place in the Council Chamber at Oldham Civic Centre on Thursday, 28th February at 6pm to discussed new applications being put forward.

These revised applications have now been published on the Oldham Council website following discussions between the contractor and applicant, Interserve, and statutory consultees, including the Environment Agency. 

The cross-party planning committee members will consider all the applications, which are to: 

• Demolish existing buildings on the WH Shaw site, excluding the listed building.
• Demolish the link bridge attached to the Grade II listed building on the site.
• Build a new school, sports pitches, playing fields and areas for play and parking.
• Provide an off-site parental drop-off area, plus two residents’’ parking areas, highways alterations and works to the access road to the former factory site

In line with normal Planning Committee procedures, the four applications will be heard separately with a vote taken at the end of the discussion on each.

That will enable the committee to hear from one speaker for and one against each application. Those speakers will get three minutes each to put their case before committee members then publicly debate and cast their votes.

Members of the public can attend to observe the proceedings, which will also be live-streamed via the Oldham Council website. There is no need to book a place or signal your intention to attend beforehand.