About turn!

Breeze Hill: to demolish or not to demolish

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Protesters demand school goes ahead
MORE than 1,000 people have signed a petition against the demolition of the former Breeze Hill School and want a new military-style school to open there.

Phoenix Free School, which will be staffed entirely by former military personnel, was last month given permission by Education Secretary Michael Gove to open in September next year.

Phoenix is looking for a site and had targeted Breeze Hill — but earlier this year the council was given permission by Mr Gove to dispose of the site.

Refit Hussain, who lives next to the site, started the petition after the Chronicle last week reported the start of demolition. He accused the council of not telling residents what was happening.

He said: “The school is a very valuable asset to the community. It doesn’t deserve to be knocked down. “We like the ethos of Phoenix. It is a fantastic idea because this town is very segregated.”

But another resident is concerned the petition has been signed by people from outside the area.

“It should not be up to people to go round and petition friends and family who do not live here. Local people should decide,” he said.

There are fears councils are being forced to hand over prime development land to free schools for less than the market value — leaving council tax payers millions out of pocket.

Councillor Amanda Chadderton, cabinet member for education, said: “This site has never been agreed nor formally discussed with us as a potential home to a free school. We anticipate full demolition by September.”

Tom Burkard, lead proposer for Phoenix, said: “Even if this building is demolished, there is a possibility of rebuilding on the same site.”

Oldham is already negotiating over the site of the Collective Spirit Free school, which wants the former South Chadderton secondary and will open in September.