Rugby move should be kicked into touch

Photo: Darren Robinson

Ron Wise (left) with residents opposing the move outside the White Bank Stadium and club house

Residents rally against Roughyeds

OPPOSITION is mounting against plans for Oldham Roughyeds to move to Whitebank Stadium after residents said: ‘We don’t want it there’.

Fears were expressed over plans to develop the site in Whitebank Road, Limeside, currently home to Oldham Borough Football Club.

Concerns were also raised that proper consultation had so far not taken place with residents.

The club, homeless since the sale of their old ground at Watersheddings in the 1990s, are temporarily based at Sedgley Park, Whitefield, this season. Its website last week confirmed the club hoped to make The Whitebank Stadium its new base.

If approved, Oldham Borough Football Club would relocate and share grounds and facilities with Chadderton Town Football Club.

No deal has yet been finalised and negotiations are still under way between the club, Oldham Council and the governing body the Rugby Football League (RFL).

But residents in Limeside, Garden Suburbs and Hollins said they are against plans to develop the current site.

Ron Wise (60), of Elm Road, Limeside, said the move would result in increased litter, noise and light pollution on neighbouring streets. He said facilities at the club were inadequate, the development would be in a predominantly residential area, and residents have been kept in the dark about plans.

Mr Wise added the club had only 30 parking spaces, not enough for over 800 regular Roughyeds supporters in Oldham.

He said: “We don’t want it there. We’ve had Oldham Borough Football Club for the last 10 years.

“The clubhouse doesn’t have enough facilities so fans have been urinating against walls at the back of the club. There is lots of noise and people at the back of our house, which has increased the fear of crime in our area.

“We are definitely against any development of the site.”

However, Chris Hamilton, Roughyeds club chairman, reassured residents that they would be consulted as soon as possible. He said: “There is nothing done yet by way of a deal. There is a fair degree of commercial sensitivity about it so we can’t say a lot.

“We have made it clear that local residents will be consulted and fully brought up to date as soon as possible.

“We understand their frustrations and we are frustrated as well but we can’t say anything else.

“I have spoken on the phone to local residents and have written to them, and as soon as we can consult with them, we will.”

Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for community services and housing, said: “Oldham Council is yet to make a formal decision on whether or not it will be assisting Oldham RLFC (Roughyeds) in their plans for the Whitebank Stadium.

“At present it looks likely that a report will be considered by Cabinet later this month.

“It would therefore be wrong to comment further at this stage. “However, once the issues have been given full consideration by cabinet and a decision taken on this matter, Oldham Council will issue a statement explaining the rationale and detail behind whatever decision is taken.

“If this scheme is given the green light, we would hold consultation with the public and will also take full note of the comments made in 2000 by the Secretary of State about this site.”