Blueprint sets out plans for the future

TAKE a look . . . (from left) photographer David Harrison, Councillor Mike Buckley, former parish council chairman Pat Lord, Councillor Bill Cullen, Alma McInnes, present chairman, and Councillor Barbara Beeley, Saddleworth and Lees community champion

A dynamic new approach to the future of Saddleworth villages was revealed in a presentation of a new parish plan last night.

Uppermill Civic Hall threw open its doors for the blueprint which will help fashion the community.

The plan, which has been worked on for two years, will focus on a wide range of issues highlighted by 1,200 local households in a wide-ranging questionnaire.

Environment

The parish council will investigate use of ‘length-men’ to maintain roadside verges, ditches and cleaning and repairing minor roads.

It will also continue to oppose the introduction of wind farms in Saddleworth’s green belt but examine less intrusive ways of generating green energy.

Housing, planning and development

The parish council will resist any loss of green belt and investigate building more terrace housing than flats.

It plans to ensure the borough’s housing policies provide an improved level of affordable housing and recognise the desire for Saddleworth people to have prioritised access.


Employment & economy

Support actions to encourage success and growth of local shops, professional and service industries and measures to help new business start-ups and new uses for land and farming diversification. Encourage services and facilities for an ageing population and creation of jobs for young people.


Tourism

Provide a tourist bus on a trial basis. Identify funding sources to maintain the current Visitor Information Centre and the feasibility of a Community Toilet Scheme. Introduce a large scale map.

Sports and leisure
Improve and extend leisure and sports facilities in all villages and facilities offered by the civic hall. Work with the local authority and sports clubs to prioritise the improvement of Churchill playing fields.


Youth facilities
Work with Saddleworth and Lees Partnership to provide opportunities for young people and pursue grant support for new ventures including the RSPB at Dovestone. Campaign for better teenage facilities and increase use of civic hall for younger people’s activities.


Health services
Work to increase the availability of NHS dental service in Saddleworth and to ensure any possible site for a multi-purpose build is located centrally.


Highways, transport, traffic and parking
Monitor Oldham Council programme for systematic gulley cleaning. Take part in review of speed limits, scheduled for next year, including flashing speed restriction signs and speed limits near schools.

Discuss with Northern Rail, the Greater Manchester PTE, West Yorkshire PTE the possible adjustment of fares. Negotiations with the council to implement time limited car parking in the centre of Uppermill.

Liaise on timescale and priorities with the council to identify roads in the Saddleworth area which need repair.

Approach Saddleworth School to see what arrangements, if any, can be made to use the school grounds for parking.

Continue to explore the possibility of a station at Diggle.


Law and order

Continue to press for speeding enforcement measures. Liaise with police to determine opening hours of Saddleworth police station which are more consistent with wishes of residents.