Academy plans submitted

PLANS to build two of the borough’s new academies in Hollins and Waterhead have been lodged with the Oldham planning department.

Outline planning applications to build an Academy Secondary School at the Brook Mill site, Hollins Road, and another on land at the former Orb Mill site, Huddersfield Road, Waterhead, have been submitted.

The application states that the Hollins Road proposal does not accord with the provisions of Oldham’s Unitary Development Plan, while both are major developments and affect the setting of a public right of way.

Residents now have until July 1 to submit comments in writing to the planning department.

The controversial academies are part of Oldham Council’s £230 million Building Schools for the Future (BSF) proposals to transform secondary education.

The academy in Huddersfield Road will replace Breeze Hill and Counthill Schools and will be run by Oldham Sixth-Form College.

It will specialise in English and vocational education.

Christian charity Oasis will run the academy in Hollins Road which will replace Kaskenmoor School and South Chadderton.

It will specialise in maths, computing and business and enterprise.

The new buildings should be fully open by 2013.