Residents’ fury over Latics stadium plan

A RALLYING cry for urgent action over the new Latics stadium plans was made by Failsworth residents who demanded a meeting with council chiefs and Oldham Athletic directors.

About 80 people packed into Mather Street School yesterday during the Failsworth Ward PACT (Partners and Communities Together) meeting to oppose the football club’s plans for a £20 million, 12,000 seater stadium with community sports facilities on a 30-acre site off Broadway.

Residents unanimously agreed to sign a petition demanding an urgent meeting with council leader Howard Sykes and chief executive Charlie Parker for them to explain their support for the new stadium bid and why they had refused ward councillors’ pleas for an earlier meeting.

A second petition rejecting the stadium proposal, as well as its support from elected and unelected council officials, was also passed around and signed.

The heated discussion, which replaced the night’s original agenda, happened after Failsworth residents leafleted homes urging people to raise concerns on the night.

Warren Bates, from Failsworth, asked why a meeting between residents, council officials and Oldham Athletic directors had not been arranged, as proposed at the last Failsworth PACT meeting in August.

Councillor Jim McMahon said Latics and Oldham Council had failed to convene a meeting in Failsworth and he was still waiting to hear back from Mr Parker about a meeting for local residents to air concerns.

He also said there was clear evidence that the land at Lower Memorial Park had been paid for by public subscription and purchased by Failsworth Urban District Council.

Councillor McMahon said: “Before you get Oldham Council to do anything you have to get them to accept the Memorial Park is a significant part of Failsworth history.

“Until the council acknowledge the status of the site, you really can’t have a debate on what grounds we can fight on.”

However, Pete Batty, from Broadway, said: “We can’t wait until we’ve got all the information because by that time the move will be passed. Let’s move now, it’s an urgent thing.”

Residents from Failsworth, Broadway, New Moston and Newton Heath raised concerns about the stadium plans including traffic and parking problems, houses being devalued, and fan trouble.

One woman said: “Instead of regeneration, this is going to be the degeneration of Failsworth.”

Residents also asked why no one from Oldham Council could be brought to a meeting and said they felt the council was not properly listening to them.

Councillor Peter Dean said ward councillors needed as much information as possible from local residents to fight what proposals came forward.

A leaflet and questionnaire about the issue, funded by Labour Party members, will now be sent out to 10,000 homes across Failsworth.