Public to have say on Oak Colliery

THE future of the controversial Oak Colliery site in Hollinwood goes up for debate next week.

Oldham Council and Christian charity Oasis Community Learning — sponsors of the proposed new academy school — are hosting informal public consultation events so residents can have their say.

Plans now include creating sports and community facilities on the site and using some of the land as playing fields after it was scrapped as the original location for the school following protests.

An outline planning application was lodged earlier this month for the academy — which will replace the existing Kaskenmoor and South Chadderton schools — to be based at neighbouring Brook Mill.

It is all part of Oldham’s £230 million Building Schools for the Future programme, which will see every borough secondary school either refurbished or replaced by 2014.

The Liberal Democrats ditched Labour’s plans to build on the Oak Colliery when they came to power.

Proposals to use the public open space for playing fields were then revealed by the Chronicle.

Councillor Kay Knox, Cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “These informal consultations present the council and the sponsor with a fantastic opportunity to meet local residents to listen to their views.

“We propose to use some of the land as playing field space, but we want to strike a firm balance between school use and open community access.”

Discussions will take place from 2 to 6pm at Spring Brook Primary School, Heron Street, on Monday, Limeside Primary School, Fourth Avenue, on June 8, and Werneth and Freehold Community Centre, Tamworth Street, on June 15.