Church hopes ended

Town Centre Partnership
BUREAUCRATS who halted a £30,000 scheme to spruce-up the grounds of Oldham Parish Church have confirmed their decision.

And they want battered old bins — taken away for replacement — to be put back.

Church bosses said Oldham Council had to apply for a licence from the diocese. The licence has now been refused, and church chiefs want the grounds to be reinstated as they were before work began.

The work was initially intended to be part of the summer’s Bloom and Grow, Oldham North-West in Bloom entry. The overhaul was to discourage drunks from congregating and to attract visitors.

Oldham Council is responsible for maintenance of the churchyard and the work was funded with money it receives from developers to compensate for the loss of open space or amenities.

Councillor Jackie Stanton said: “I am absolutely appalled. It’s dreadful that someone who doesn’t even live in this borough can dictate to us what we do.”

Mike Flanagan, Town Square/Spindles manager, urged council and church officials to get round the table to find a compromise.