Sport England pitches into school site row

Proposed pitch layout of the new school

A national advisory body says elements of sports facilities at the proposed new Saddleworth School in DIggle are “not fit for purpose”.

The news comes in a five-page letter from Sport England, which was asked to consult on the plans for the £19.2 million school by Oldham Council.

The Sport England letter, from planning officer Richard Fordham, was sent ahead of the application being considered by Oldham Council planning committee tomorrow.

Sport England says it is satisfied the site will equal, functionally, the school’s current facilities in Uppermill. But the existing school contains an artificial grass pitch (AGP) that doesn’t meet current design guidance - and the agp proposed for the new school doesn’t meet it either.”

Sport England acknowledges the new pitch will be an improvement on the old, but says that isn’t a good enough argument for installing a pitch that is technically not fit for purpose.

Keith Lucas of Save Diggle Action Group said: “Once again, the proposal is revealed as inadequate and the people of Saddleworth are being asked to settle for second best.

“Not only does the school proposal involve building on the green belt and on the flood-plain, it is now clear if it gets built in Diggle it will have second-rate sports facilities, to the detriment of children and the wider Saddleworth community.”

“Sport England considers the proposed pitch is a missed opportunity for the community as it will not meet modern sporting requirements.”

“The new school should bring improvements to the health and well-being of young people but Oldham Council wants to fob us off with sub-standard facilities. The main sports field will be too small for top-level football and rugby. If it is made any bigger it will be in a flood zone.”

The Football Association says any new pitch would need to be full size; its rugby counterpart has asked to see a full pitch feasibility study.

Mr Lucas added: “Excellent sport facilities could be part of a scheme to redevelop the Uppermill site.

“Are Oldham Council still determined to push through a major development, when not only the community they supposedly serve but national sports bodies point out its flaws to them?