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JCB Jackie leads mill demolition!
Reporter: KAREN DOHERTY; Picture:ANTHONY MILLER
Date online: 24 April 2009
THIS big boy’s toy proved no match for Councillor Jackie Stanton.
She showed her true colours when she donned a yellow bib and a white hard hat to get behind the controls of a massive JCB.
The deputy council leader — more used to cutting her political opposition down to size — tried out the machine during the demolition of the Albert Mill, Derker.
The two-acre site is being razed to make way for around 40 homes and apartments as part of the multi-million pound Housing Market Renewal (HMR) scheme to transform run-down areas of Oldham and Rochdale.
This will see hundreds of properties swept away and replaced in Derker, Freehold and Werneth.
The proposals for the Albert Mill, developed by Gleeson Homes, include a community square and a walkway to the Derker Metrolink station. It will be called Lower Moor, chosen by locals because it is the historical name for the area.
A planning application is to be submitted and Councillor Stanton said: “Clearing the old buildings from the site is good news as we will be in a good position to build these homes.
“The vision for new development on this site is excellent and I am really looking forward to the new homes being built.”
Albert Mill was built in Cromford Street in 1869 and was known locally as Tyre Cord Mill for its production of materials used in the industry. It closed in 1981 and was most recently used by a logistics company.
Preparatory work has been underway for some weeks, with internal fixtures removed for recycling. It was also surveyed for asbestos and bats, with asbestos removed by contractors and no bats found.
The HMR development of Derker was delayed when residents fought an unsuccessful High Court battle to save their homes from demolition.
Fellow ward councillor Roger Hindle said: “After a long period of nothing happening at last people can see something, even if it is demolition and clearing of sites.”
Comments
Keith have you never heard of the phrase "tongue in cheek",I think the readers of the Chronicle are far too intelligent to actually believe Cllr Stanton was actually operating this machinery.More to the point she is demonstrating that finally things are beginning to happen in Derker,that gives some of the residents hope.hard hats off to her for that!
Wiseowl, Take a look at her feet, incorrect P.P.E. It's about thime she decided which sid of the fence she is on. First off al we can see her on DVD blaming her constituants for the state of Derker. Then, according to Phil Woolas M.P. she is in full agreement with him that the homes on Derker Street should stay up & be refurbished. Now she is on the demolition trail again.'Faces & town hall clock spring to mind.
Have Your Say
And to think we actually pay for this trash, the first thing it would require is a certificate referring to some form of understanding of the machine operating procedures, unlikely the clr would have that intelligence to acquire one. But one suspect Gleeson Homes is impressed with her shame about the public
By Keith @ 24/04/2009 12:57:01