‘Done deal’ fear of academy objectors

ANTI-ACADEMY opponents attending tonight’s planning committee fear proposals for a new school on land at the former Orb Mill site is a done deal.

Residents are set to speak against controversial plans for the new academy, in Huddersfield Road, which has been recommended for approval.

A total of 87 letters of objection from 66 addresses, and 12 letters from unknown addresses, have been received by planners.

But residents fear the building will go ahead regardless of their views.

A spokeswoman for the residents, who did not want to be identified, said: “We hope by speaking against the plans it will stop the proposal going through because the site is totally unsuitable.

“But the cynic in me says they will ignore it. We think it’s a done deal. They’ve bought the land, done the preparatory work and have appointed the head teacher.

“Why are they doing that if they’ve not got planning permission?”

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

Specialising in English and vocational education, it will replace Breeze Hill and Counthill Schools and will be run by Oldham Sixth-Form College.

A planning application for a new academy at Brook Mill, Hollins Road, which is also on the agenda, has seen 11 letters of objection and one letter of support sent to planners. Christian charity Oasis will run the academy in Hollins Road which will replace Kaskenmoor and South Chadderton schools.

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

Objectors to the Huddersfield Road school cited traffic and parking problems, anti-social behaviour, inadequate public transport and lack of sports facilities as the main obstacles.

Other reasons include the site being too small to accommodate 1,500 pupils, possible conflict between Counthill and Breeze Hill pupils and a near-by reservoir could pose a safety threat.

However, the planning report states that the majority of concerns raised could be minimised by attaching appropriate conditions to planning consent, and by working with the school.

Councillor Roger Hindle, planning chairman, said extensive consultation had taken place including posting five site notices and sending consultation letters to 392 neighbours.