Developer cops for criticism

BOARDED UP: former Uppermill police station

A SADDLEWORTH councillor has hit out at developer Phil Wiggett, angered at the state of the former police station in Uppermill.

Councillor Phil Renold launched an attack on Wiggett Construction, which owns the building in Pickhill Lane, at the Saddleworth Parish Council planning meeting.

He said: “Nine years ago the developers got planning permission to convert this building into housing — long before the credit crunch.

“Since then nothing has happened. It’s a dreadful eyesore.

“Residents have had to put up with the depressing sight of badly boarded-up windows.

“I wish we had the power to make developers actually carry out their developments in a timely fashion.”

He argues that better window coverings, painted in keeping with the colour of the stonework would be a better option.

The claims were during a planning debate to decide whether or not the time-limit for development should be extended.

However, owner Phil Wiggett defended his position, assuring locals that he is committed to the site.

He said: “There has been a delay in the project because of the state of the market.

“We review all of our sites and at the moment there is little demand for apartments. Over the years vandals have broken windows and we go every week to make sure the building is all right.

“We have and do change the window coverings every other year, to look after the building.”

The Saddleworth Parish Council recommended that Oldham Council approves the application.

However, councillors also plan to write to Oldham Planning Committee in a bid to get the developer to change the window coverings.