Demolition for school building

The dangerous building that is to be demolished

COUNCIL chiefs are to demolish a Victorian building in a conservation area after residents warned it was collapsing.

Oldham Council has made an emergency application to bulldoze the former Eustace Street Primary School in Chadderton.

Officials say they were forced to act after a neighbour reported there had been a serious partial collapse in the roof during the early hours of Wednesday.

An inspection revealed the building to be in a dangerous condition and advised that an urgent demolition — without delay — is required on health and safety grounds.

Councillor Mark Alcock said: “It is sad but very necessary that we take this action as quickly as possible. This collapse happened without any warning or external cause on an evening with calm weather.

“Clearly the issues here are structural and serious and we cannot afford to risk a further collapse. Over the years repeated attempts have been made to find a new use or owner for this building. It is regrettable to have to demolish what was once an outstanding example of Victorian architecture and I sympathise with those who will be saddened by this news.”

The Eustace Street premises – located within the Victoria Street Conservation Area — has been vacant since 2001 when pupils transferred to the new Burnley Brow primary school, on the former Kent Mill site, Victoria Street.

In the intervening years the site has become a target for repeated vandalism, fly-tipping and theft.