Heritage land under threat

A Chadderton conservation area around the restored town hall is under threat from empty buildings, according to an English Heritage survey.

Plans to vacate the Carnegie Library and Edwardian police station, also part of the conservation area, on the corner of Middleton Road and Victoria Street, mean they are at risk of becoming derelict.

The town hall was improved in 2007 at a cost of £355,000, when it became the borough’s new register office, with a marriage room. The ballroom had already been restored for dances and receptions.

But the police station, although used, has been replaced by the new facility at Broadgate business park, and the library is due to move to the new Chadderton Wellbeing centre this year.

Now the conservation area is on English Heritage’s “threatened” list, the first time such a comprehensive survey has been done.

The information came from Oldham Council officers, explained Andrew Davison, team leader for English Heritage in Greater Manchester.

He said: “Basically, in Chadderton, the police station, library and baths are becoming vacant and there is a danger of them becoming derelict and an eyesore.

“That might affect the appearance and general atmosphere of the area.

“But the council also says that the Chadderton Conservation Area has improved over the last three years and they do expect it to improve over the next three years.

“The whole point of the survey was not to point the finger at anyone, but to try to get a snapshot of the state of conservation areas across the country.”

Cabinet member for Communities and Housing, Councillor John McCann, said: “One of the problems is finding a use for old buildings.

“I know community groups want to move into the buildings, and at one time such buildings might have been converted into flats. But the recession has bitten everyone harder than we thought.”

And Oldham’s Heritage Champion Councillor Mike Buckley, added: “I have been assured that regeneration officers are trying to find a development brief and a new use for the buildings.”

Chadderton Councillor and Opposition Cabinet member Dave Hibbert said: “It has been known for 18 months and more that the library was going to be vacated.”