Former club to become college

Oldham Planning Committee reports

THE former Waterhead Conservative Club is to be turned into an education centre.

MBS College is a new organisation set up to work with local schools, academies and Oldham Council to provide GCSE subjects, private A-Level tuition, HNDs and vocational courses, and will also help students with behavioural problems.

It’s envisaged that around 60 students will attend the two-storey Sharples Hall Street building each day. There would be five teachers and administration staff.

There were seven letters of objection and a petition containing 114 signatures raising concerns over traffic and parking problems as there is a new academy and Tesco store near by.

They argued that Oldham is already served by a number of established education centres in better locations.

Councillors were told it wasn’t true that it will be turned into an Islamic centre and it was an excellent opportunity to regenerate a building that has been empty for years.

Planning officers recommended approval.


40-bed care home go-ahead

A 40-bed RESIDENTIAL care home is to be built at a former petrol station next to Hotel Smokies Park in Bardsley.

Permission was granted for the home, with a 13-space car park, at the cleared site, which will also have a private sensory garden.

There was one letter of objection raising concerns about the height of the builidng.

Smokies Entertainment said it would enhance a derelict area, complement the hotel and create employment.

Age Concern said there is a need for a residential care home in the area.


Aldi store plan

A FORMER DIY store is to be demolished to be replaced by five retail stores, including an Aldi supermarket.

Plans to replace the former Wickes building, currently a B&M store, at the Napier Business Centre, Atkinson Street, North Moor, were approved.

A replacement DIY store, the Aldi and three other bulky goods stores will replace it. The applicant will have to pay £5,000 to help construct a cycle track, £30,000 to enhance public transport and £1,000 for a traffic regulation order.


Metrolink park and ride
THE go-ahead was given for a Metrolink park and ride stop at Hudson Street, Chadderton, which will have 107 parking spaces. It is a vacant brownfield site.


Council bid for banners barred

THE committee refused permission for its own council to put up three banners at Chadderton Sports Centre.

Oldham Council’s plans to put the adverts, for development and regeneration opportunities for vacant buildings in the conservation area, on the Middleton Road building had already been criticised by councillors.

Planning officers had recommended approval but the committee voted to refuse on the grounds of visual amenity because of the size and scale.

Councillor Mike Buckley said they were garish on the attractive building, adding: “They’re absolutely awful and detract from one of the best town centres in the borough.”