Excitement builds over plans for new school

A school head has been part of “exciting” high-level discussions over a new multi-million pound school for Saddleworth.

The location of the project, which will shape education in the community for the next century, is still under wraps.

But the Chronicle understands the school will be built on a site at Diggle, about a mile away from the present Saddleworth School in High Street, Uppermill, within two years.

Saddleworth School head Matthew Milburn has been in involved in the initial planning.

“I am terribly excited about the plans,” he revealed exclusively to the Chronicle. “Everything is very positive - but I do not yet know where the school will be built.

“It will be a quality, state-of-the-art building reflecting the school’s future needs, with a provisional completion date planned for around December 2015.”

A deal for land is the responsibility of Oldham Council, which remains tight-lipped about the location.

Mr Milburn added: “We are looking forward to getting improved facilities. Our current site is very cramped.

“As far as I am aware, work will start in the second quarter of 2015 but if the council can secure the land quickly the project could be brought forward.”

Most of the buildings at the current site were built over a century ago, the most recent additions being 50 years old.

Stuart Coleman, chair of Diggle Community Association, said: “We accept the building of a new secondary school in Diggle. As access to the village is already difficult, we have serious reservations regarding the management of people and vehicles.”

Local businesses echoed the community association’s concern.