Plans for £3.4m Oldham school expansion put to public

Parents and residents are being asked to have their say on £3.4 million plans to expand an Oldham school.

The town hall has published initial proposals to build new facilities at North Chadderton School, which will see it grow by an extra 30 pupils per year group.

The consultation documents, which are published online and available at Chadderton Library, show a three-storey science block extension, six new science classrooms and two prep rooms.

“The re-location of the existing library will improve circulation within the school and amenities for students,” the consultation documents add.

It is also proposed to construct a new sports changing room block, which incorporates an educational classroom, and the library would also be moved.

Improvements to an existing car park are also proposed. 

Bosses say they want to get comments on the development before an application gets submitted requesting planning permission.

It comes as part of £30m worth of investment by Oldham council building or extending schools across the borough to help meet the demand for school places.

Last year cabinet bosses took just one minute and 15 seconds to sign off a multi-million-pound development at the school on Chadderton Hall Road.

Enlargements have also been agreed at The Oldham Academy North, which is being increased by 60 pupils in each year group, and Crompton House CE Academy which will be taking on an extra 112 places per year group.

Both of these expansions will be completed during the 2019/2020 academic year.

And a £2.5m expansion of an Oldham primary school to meet a growing demand for pupil places was given the green light last month.

Mayfield Academy, in St James ward in the north east of the town, is to grow by an extra form entry – meaning the number of classes will increase.

Oasis Academy Leesbrook is also due to open in a newly built school on the former Breezehill School site on Roxbury Avenue in Lees, in September 2020, providing a total of 1,500 school places.

The closing date for comments on the North Chadderton School plans is June 2.

A drop-in session to view the plans and talk to school and council staff is being held on May 22 between 5-7pm at the school.

 

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.