Political storm brews over school site saga

OBJECTORS to the Diggle proposals make their feeling clear.

SNIPING has broken out between rival Saddleworth councillor groups over the siting of a new £17 million school.

Earlier this week the Education Funding Agency (EFA) announced its intention to make a detailed feasibility study - including the school’s existing site at Uppermill and the Diggle proposals.

The news delighted Saddleworth’s parish council’s independent councillors.

But now Saddleworth’s four Lib-Dem councillors have challenged them to join a public pledge to accept the EFA findings — whichever site is recommended.

“We publicly pledge to accept whichever location comes out on top in the EFA’s new appraisal to secure the Government’s £17 million funding for a new school,” says the Lib-Dem group. “The same pledge is now needed from Mike Buckley, Nikki Kirkham and the Saddleworth independents, Conservatives, Labour, UKIP and Diggle Community Association.”

Mike Buckley, an Independent parish councillor who quit the Libs-Dems over the school row, said: “This just wont wash. Saddleworth independents have been the only councillors pressing for a proper evaluation of the Diggle and Uppermill sites. The major parties can claim no credit for this.”

A giant new poster at the junction of Ambrose Crescent and Huddersfield Road in Diggle, underpins the feelings of objectors to the school being built in the village.