Question time for school plan

community association chairman Stuart Coleman is urging residents to respond to a call for questions concerning the proposed new Saddleworth School.

His appeal comes ahead of a public meeting next week, when residents could learn more about plans for the £15 million school and whether a site at Diggle could officially be the new home for up to 1,500 students.

At an earlier meeting attended by more than 80 residents, Councillor Jim McMahon, leader of Oldham Council, and Matthew Milburn, the school’s head outlined some of the concerns about access traffic and other matters.

Mr Coleman, chairman of Diggle Community Association, has already received 28 inquiries: “They are wide ranging but include questions on access, cost of groundwork, quality of build, catchment area, school location, additional costs and where funding will come from.

“We want to give Saddleworth residents an opportunity to address their concerns. We believe consultation is the best way forward.”

Residents of Saddleworth and Lees are asked to submit questions in advance of the public meeting, which will be held on October 16 (7.30pm, Uppermill Civic Hall).

Send questions to dcachairman@gmail.com