Have a say on park plans

Alternatives sought for public space which may become Latics new stadium

Plans to hold public consultations on alternative sites for the controversial Failsworth Lower Memorial Park land have been condemned as back to front.

The land, part of the proposed site for Oldham Athletic’s new stadium, is regarded as a charitable trust by Oldham Council.

And it has organised two special Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings on Tuesday (2.30-4pm), at St George’s Church, Broadway, Chadderton, and the following Monday (4-8pm) at Failsworth Community Education Centre.

People will be able to drop in to view and comment on alternative sites, all but one in Failsworth West Ward.

They are the rear of 27-81 Alder Road; Mabel Road/Limeditch Road; Jericho Clough, Medlock Road; Vale Lane, Medlock Vale; Somerset Road/Coronation Road; and Warwick Road/rear of Leicester Road.

Earlier this year, the Charity Commission failed to rule on whether the land was a charitable trust, despite new documents from the council. But Oldham Council relied on its own legal advice that it is trust, and has asked the Commission to register it as a trust.

The Commission said: “The situation is that there is no update. The Commission has not made a ruling.”

Peter Batty, who lives a short distance from the site and campaigns against the stadium plans, said: “We are coming up to holiday time and so far it has not been well publicised. This seems to be doing things back to front. They are asking people for views on land on which the Charity Commission has not made a decision, which is diabolical.”

However Failsworth East Labour councillor Barbara Dawson said: “Oldham Council and Oldham Athletic have been criticised for not getting people involved and not consulting people. Now I think we have learned from those lessons and we are giving people more information. There is a lot of rumour and untruth around.”

Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for regeneration and environment, said: “I would urge the public to attend these sessions and give their views on which site they think is most suitable to become charitable trust land.

“To satisfy the Charity Commission’s requirements, we must propose a site — or a combination of sites — that will be of equal value in both monetary and amenity terms to compensate for the potential use of the land near the Lancaster Club in Oldham Athletic’s stadium proposals.

“We know these are very sensitive matters and these meetings are part of Oldham Council’s ongoing commitment to consult the public in an open and transparent manner.”