Academy plans’ double trouble

CAMPAIGNERS are angry over moves to prevent school traffic plans and contaminated land surveys going ahead before the controversial Waterhead Academy is built.

An application to build the school on the site of the former Orb Mill in Culvert Street was approved in December by Oldham Council’s planning committee.

Members insisted that issues of traffic generated by the school and potential contamination on the old mill site be addressed.

But builders Wilmott Dixon Construction have now submitted two new applications to vary a host of conditions that were subsequently attached to the approval.

One stated that no development should take place until a detailed School Safety Zone, including along the approach of busy Huddersfield Road, has been submitted and approved.

The application wants this removed as people would have to be consulted and a comprehensive report produced.

Two other conditions state that work shouldn’t start unless site investigations over landfill gas risks and land contamination have been carried out.

But bizarrely the application wants this removed because it claims this can only be completed at the end of the construction period.

Angry local residents protested against the multi-million-pound project when it was first announced that one academy would replace Breeze Hill and Counthill schools.

The plans survived a last-ditch bid to thwart the state-of-the-art development when Saddleworth Parish Council recommended that consent be refused.

They said the size of the development was inappropriate for the site and argued that increased traffic would cause havoc on already busy roads. They were backed by 34 letters of objection, with flood-risk concerns, increased anti-social behaviour and a detrimental impact on residential amenity also cited.

But planning officers said the risk of flooding was low, the building will have no greater visual impact than the mill and while there will be increased activity it will be mainly during opening and closing times.

The parish council has rejected the latest application too.

Parish Councillor Ken Hulme said: “Councillors insisted that the issue of traffic generated by the school be addressed and an effective plan to bring pupils in by public transport to avoid congestion be in place before work commenced.

“Councillors also insisted that the old mill site be thoroughly surveyed for contamination before any construction was started.

“I don’t believe this application would have been passed by Oldham Planning Committee if these conditions had not been placed on the development. This attempt to sideline these conditions and suggest construction work should start without them is disgraceful.

“How can you do an effective survey for contamination on a site when its already being built on as is being suggested by the builders?

“I sincerely hope councillors on Oldham planning committee will stick to their guns and insist their original conditions remain in place. Frankly they will lose all credibility if they don’t.”

Resident Sheila Kingham said: “Surely the ground should have been tested for toxicity before work started? And what has happened to the magical ‘Travel Plan’ which will do away with all the problems of traffic on Huddersfield Road at a stroke?”