Heritage champion quits in buildings row

MIKE BUCKLEY

OLDHAM’S historic buildings are being left to ruin, according to Saddleworth councillor Mike Buckley who has quit as the borough’s heritage champion.

He launched a scathing attack on the council as he resigned from the role he has held for the past three years.

He said: “Times are hard and money is short, but this shouldn’t stop us valuing the rich heritage of Oldham and ensuring it features heavily in future regeneration plans.

“Historic buildings owned by the council, like the old town hall, the central library, Chadderton Library and Baths, have been left empty for years, literally abandoned to vandals and the elements. Many of the 530 listed buildings in the borough in private ownership have been damaged beyond recovery by inappropriate development sanctioned by poorly-trained planning officers.”

He argues that initiatives put in place by the last Lib-Dem administration, such as a project to list every building with historical and architectural significance in the borough, have been abandoned.

He alleges there is no heritage plan in place for the town centre or 36 conservation areas across the borough.

However, council leader Jim McMahon has denied the claims.

He says that heritage is integral to every regeneration project being taken on in the borough, not as simply a “bolt on” consideration.

He said: “We’ve only been in charge for months and we’re attempting to turn around decades of decline. The people of Oldham deserve something better, people that are going to be in it for the long term. I think Councillor Buckley’s exit is premature.

“We’ve already moved quickly to spend money, for example investment in the borough’s war memorials. It’s not just about patching up old buildings, it’s about talking about their long-term future and finding a use for them.”

He added that Councillor Buckley was too eager to vent his frustrations in public and that new uses, for example relocating the Coliseum to the former library in Union Street, are under consideration.

A replacement heritage champion will be appointed after discussion.

Councillor Buckley maintains that he cannot continue in the role, adding: “I will continue to champion heritage but am no longer prepared to be an apologist for an administration with no commitment or interest in looking after the historic legacy of Oldham.”