Council backs RSPCA move

IN limbo . . . the Oldham RSPCA branch with, from left, manager Lee Speed, Naomi Hall, Nancy King and Emma Yearn

COUNCIL leader Jim McMahon has reassured animal lovers over fears for the future of the RSPCA shelter at Rhodes Bank.

Officials have told the centre that the town’s regeneration scheme will require the demolition of anything standing on council land around Rhodes Bank.

The council has promised to relocate the branch, but staff don’t know whether this will happen soon — or years from now.

New branch manager Lee Speed said he is “desperate” for answers.

Council leader Councillor Jim McMahon says his team is in talks with the RSPCA and will keep the branch informed.

“Oldham Council is committed to doing everything possible to keep the RSPCA in the borough. It does an outstanding job,” said Mr McMahon.

Worried RSPCA branch manager Mr Speed said: “There has been speculation about the branch having to move for several years, but our trustees were recently told we would definitely be rehomed and that it could take between six months and 24 months.

“The move could be within a very small time scale or a very big one. We have no idea which.

“If we are going to have to move, we want to know where to, and I think the public will want to know too. This is a very big facility with about 100 animals. We understand it’s a prime plot of land.

“But we have a lot of development work ourselves and won’t spend any money if we’re going to be turfed out within months of completing it.

“The council needs to be telling us a lot more about what they have planned.”