Site tests to start on ‘stadium’ land

A SITE investigation on a controversial plot of land in Failsworth that was earmarked for a football stadium starts next week.

The Failsworth Trust Committee agreed last month to leave the land to the north of the Lancaster Club, off Broadway, alone after Oldham Athletic’s development plans fell through.

But it agreed to spend £20,000 carrying out site investigations in case of future interest in the land.

The committee is a cabinet sub-committee that deals with land in Failsworth which is held by Oldham Council on charitable trust status.

The council says the land has historically been used as a tipping area and the purpose of the investigation is to determine its suitability for potential, future improvements.

Any upgrade would have to further the purposes of the trust — to create and maintain a recreation ground — and its current planning status as protected open land.

At the same time — but in activity not connected to the committee — site investigations will also be undertaken at the 14.3 acres of land at the Lancaster Club, currently owned by Latics, plus 5.9 acres of council-owned land fronting Broadway.

This work is part of the council’s due diligence process in the proposed deal to purchase the Lancaster Club site off the football club.

The survey is being carried out by independent specialist site investigation contractor, Sub Surface, who were appointed following a competitive tender exercise to ensure value for money, plus identify any possible issues which could affect or restrict future proposals.

Councillor Shoab Akhtar, chairman of the Failsworth Trust Committee, said: “The committee members agreed to carry out these investigations in order to clarify if, and how, this Trust land might be improved for future recreational use.

“In accordance with the resolution passed at the recent meeting, a copy of the site investigation findings will be made available for discussion at the committee’s next meeting.”

In February, the Charity Commission, which registered the land a charitable trust on June 24, 2010, refused an order to allow a land swap but changed its mind on August 4 following an internal review.

But Latics are pressing ahead with redeveloping Boundary Park instead.

The committee decided not to proceed with swapping the land to the north of the Lancaster Club with two other areas of land — at Warwick Road and Vale Lane/Medlock Vale.

The investigatory work is set to begin on Monday and will last for two weeks.