Iconic library gets protected status

PROTECTED: the former library and, further up, the old police station

THE former Chadderton library and old police station have been granted Grade II-listed status.

The news comes after if was announced that the landmark buildings had been sold to the Chadderton-based training firm Community Skills Development Agency (CSDA), who welcomed the decision. CSDA provides industry-related training and qualifications in a number of sectors, particularly retail, hospitality and catering. It’s expansion will create 10 jobs.

Chadderton Historical Society applied for listed status after the buildings were replaced by a new library in Chadderton Wellbeing Centre and the police station at Broadgate. It feared that they could be demolished if they were not protected.

English Heritage praised the strong architectural facades of the Middleton Road library which was built in 1904-5 and funded by the Scottish-born American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

The neighbouring police station in Victoria Street dates from 1901 and has a detailed Jacobean Revival frontage. Michael Lawson, secretary of Chadderton Historical Society, said: “We are pleased these buildings have been listed. We felt as a historical society we would not be doing our duty if we hadn’t worked to protect these iconic buildings.

“We hope it marks the beginning of a new attitude to our history and heritage.

“We have got some nice buildings in the borough and we should be proud of them.”