Row set to deepen over the future of problem pitches

WATERY mess . . . Churchill playing fields

ATHLETES up in arms, a rugby club on the verge of meltdown and a big watery mess — the quarrel over Churchill playing fields rattles on.

With an estimated £300,000 set to be spent on the fields in Greenfield from June, tensions reached boiling point at a public meeting in Uppermill recently.

Chronicle reporter Lewis Jones looks at the proposals and examines the Saddleworth split in opinion.

THE frustration in people’s voices was apparent... small stabs of fury as locals took it in turns to stand up and deliver their verdict on the scheme.

Bustling rows of chairs filled the room and crowds lined every wall as expectation lingered over a potential outburst.

It is easy to think of the plans for Churchill as simply another council initiative, but judging by the turnout at the recent meeting, the community facility is truly much more than that.

Proposed plans have been spearheaded by the Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership, which along with Oldham Council, has managed to raise almost £150,000 towards the project it hopes will start this summer.

A 12-month closure of the fields would see the area undergo:

::A complete new drainage system installed under the fields.

::The playing fields levelled out to avoid future flooding.

::Altering the layout to include four full-size rugby and football pitches, a mini-pitch and training area.

::A running track painted on the grass during the summer.

::Phase two work could include improvements to the changing rooms and the tennis courts.

::Time to let the land rest.

On paper this may seem straightforward, but in reality, it has opened a vat of controversy.

Saddleworth Runners complain they were not invited to consultations even though they use the running track.

Members even staged a protest at the Uppermill meeting by showing a united front in their running gear. They have now set up an action group to try to block the decision to remove the running track as part of the plans.

Chairman Jill Davies said: “We’re exploring cheaper alternatives to drainage that doesn’t involving raising the levels of the fields. We are determined to try to do something. The group will publicise the issue in the local area, and write to local MPs.

“The leaders seem to be threatening that it all needs to be done very quickly. Coming up with an alternative means not as much money would need to be raised.”

Another objector is Rob Knotts, an Austerlands resident, who argues that the project is short on detail and effectiveness to the point that it seriously lacks feasibility, viability and credibility.

Following recent meetings he has now put together a 23-page appraisal for the district partnership, Oldham Council and Saddleworth Parish Council.

In it, he examines his evidence for issues such as undue moral pressure, political opportunism, failure to consult and lack of cost information.

He said: “Not involved in these discussions were the residents of Saddleworth.

“These are the people who enjoy and support and contribute finance, through council tax, entrance fees and expenditure at events, all activities that take place in the fields.

“To deny these people a say in the future of the fields well before the proposals and funding applications were well-established is unacceptable.

“I’m convinced that the District Partnership does not mean to treat Saddleworth residents with such disdain but sadly that is the perception.”

Local mum Diane Moore has also set up an online petition against the running track removal, which at the time of print had over 300 signatures.

One comment is from former international high jumper David Chadderton.

He said: “I am appalled at the proposal. Running tracks are scarce anyway in the North of England and our Saddleworth running track must be kept and be improved together with the ball games.”

Councillor Barbara Beeley has taken the brunt of the barrage as chairman of the Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership.

For her this project has been a year in the planning and one she feels incredibly passionate about.

Her mantra is simple — a speedy delivery while there is still the money available.

“It would be a shame if we missed this opportunity,” she says.

“Hopefully we will have the best sports and community venue in the whole of the borough.

“It will be something we can be proud of and not embarrassed by.”

Likewise, Councillor John McCann, told the packed public meeting to “get real” with the realisation that the money will not be around forever.

One of the criticisms is about where the funding has come from, positive sounds from the Football Federation and the Rugby Football League mean plans could be tailored to those sports. But it was music to the ears of various football and rugby clubs, including Saddleworth Rangers, who have struggled for years with the quagmire conditions at Churchill.

As a group who pay for the use of the field they are losing out on attracting other teams to play in the area, and a vital source of revenue.

Alan Bolton, a coach and team manager for the under-16s, said: “One evening’s rain can decimate a whole weekend’s play. We haven’t had a home game on there since November. We’re lucky we have parents who will put their hands in their pocket and take their children to away games.”

Teams have had to relocate to George Street playing fields in Shaw from the club that boasts over 350 young members.

In the last three seasons the fields have been shut for 27 weeks, equivalent to almost a season, not including away games.

Alan added: “We employ staff and have a brilliant clubhouse but we are losing revenue because we can’t provide games and hospitality in Saddleworth. The worst case scenario is that we just won’t have a youth section, which would be disastrous for the club and for Saddleworth.

“It can’t go on like this, we would find somewhere to play for a year for the greater good.”

Parish councillor Ken Hulme has waded in on the argument, he made a formal complaint to Oldham Council that the District Partnership had failed in its duty to consult.

In response, Paul Entwistle, borough solicitor for Oldham Council, has said that the council consulted all known users of the site but the runners did not appear as their use is not through formal booking. In the reply, he says that facilities in Rochdale, Radclyffe School in Chadderton, North Manchester and Ashton-under-Lyne mean there are a more than adequate number of tracks within UK athletics guidelines.

According to Mr Entwistle, the council is now considering installing distance markers for sports and exploring other options for vehicle access for community events.

In return, Ken Hulme says he does not accept that Oldham Council did not know Saddleworth Runners were users of the running track on Churchill fields.

He said: “I’m afraid it looks very much like Oldham Council has carefully selected who it exercises its duty to involve with. Talking only to those ‘users’ who support the proposals and excluding those who might take issue with it and then trying to railroad it through as a done deal.”

Of course, the 12-month closure will have knock-on effects for the wealth of events that take place on the fields.

The Yanks Are Back in Saddleworth organisers have already revealed that they will hold this year’s event at Saddleworth School.

However, at the recent meeting Councillor Richard Knowles referring to the decision to let large military vehicles on the grounds as “a mistake” could cast doubt over the festival returning when the pitches are reopened.

Concerns have already been raised for next year’s Saddleworth Show, scheduled for June, 2012.

Organiser Stan Bowes, said: “Certainly in the case of the Saddleworth Show, without the retention of the hard-surface running track it could not continue in its present form.”




Project timeline



February, 2010: The Churchill working group is established by the Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership.

SUMMER, 2010: Funding of £96,000 from development money is ring-fenced by Oldham Council. The opinions of clubs regularly booked on to the field are sought.

SEPTEMBER, 2010: Funding sources are explored, with the Football Foundation giving positive feedback.

OCTOBER, 2010: The District Partnership pledge £50,000 towards the scheme.

NOVEMBER, 2010: A consultant report to explore drainage options is delayed due to heavy snow.

JANUARY, 2011: The report is carried out and ballpark figures and options are delivered to the working group.

February, 2011: Public consultation begins.

JUNE, 2011: The planned start time for the work.




Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership will discuss the meeting tonight at Diggle Band Club (6.30pm).