We don’t want you!

ON side . . . residents applaud campaigners opposed to the new stadium

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Latics struggle for stadium support

RESIDENTS remain vehemently opposed to Latics’ £20 million stadium plans after telling club bosses to leave Failsworth alone.

But Oldham Council and Boundary Park chiefs braved the lions’ den to insist their proposals will benefit locals by bringing investment, community facilities and jobs.

Failsworth Residents Action Group (FRAG) organised last night’s heated meeting at Failsworth School, attended by around 100 residents, to give locals the chance to question club bosses over proposals for the 12,000 seater stadium off Broadway.

FRAG leader Peter Batty accused the League One outfit of arrogance and a lack of respect for residents.

Locals were incensed that they had been ignored and that the council had backed plans without consulting them.

The impact from traffic, litter and noise would be horrendous on an already congested area, he said. And most of Failsworth don’t consider themselves part of Oldham and support the Manchester clubs.

To applause, one resident said: “Leave Failsworth alone.

“We don’t want you and don’t need you. We are happy as we are.”

There was anger that the Moston Brook Project to create a country park on part of the site would be ruined, though both the council and Latics said they would accommodate it.
One resident said people had chosen to live near Boundary Park but the new stadium was a spectre hanging over Failsworth residents who had spent 25 years paying for and looking after houses.

Another said houses near the new stadium would be devalued by 30 per cent, wiping £2 million off the value of properties on Park Avenue and Broadway, adding: “Is it not immoral and a major injustice to allow this to happen? Would you accept that if you lived there?”

Latics director and estate agent Ian Hill said this was untrue scaremongering. He added that property prices wouldn’t be affected. Mr Batty pointed out he got the figure from Mr Hill’s Ryder & Dutton firm.

Councillor Mohib Uddin insisted Failsworth Lower Memorial Park could be used as it was bought by the council and the Failsworth War Memorial Committee only paid the legal costs. But resident Warren Bates insisted the council was the custodian of the land for residents, not the owner.

He said: “The council does not have the right to dispose of sacrosanct public land in memory of lads and lasses who died in World War One. We, the residents of Failsworth, won’t let them down.”

Mr Batty added: “It’s our land not yours.

“We will fight you through the courts if necessary.”

But in an emotive plea, Latics managing director Simon Corney admitted mistakes had been made and the plans would not be problem-free — but asked to be given a chance, saying the stadium would not be the monstrosity residents feared and would bring benefits.

He conceded that no-one had the right to impose what they want on people living near the stadium and said residents should have the final say. But without change the club will fold.

He insisted the community pitches have to be commercial to be cost effective but the club does a lot of community work, schools could use them for free and he wants local clubs to utilise them.

He said: “We are genuinely trying to do the right thing for the town.

“We are putting our life savings into this and will make it work.”

Latics chief executive Alan Hardy said: “People complain there is no investment in Failsworth. Here’s an opportunity, grasp it with both hands.”

Councillor Uddin said issues of tackling litter and policing could be easily addressed.

One Latics fan and Failsworth resident did back the plans and asked if the stadium could be extended if Latics make it to the Premier League — but was told that would be difficult.

In a presentation, Latics said Boundary Park had passed its sell-by-date, not sustainable or viable to redevelopment and a new ground would benefit the club, supporters and the community by creating jobs for local people and providing better facilities and investment.

They stressed there is no masterplan yet but pledged to hold three public consultation sessions, including an exhibition, and would take on board concerns before a planning application is drawn up in several months’ time.


FRAG will now conduct more research and meet with residents to discuss what was said.