Royton rebuild angers Diggle campaigner

OLDHAM Council received an angry sideswipe after revealing it is to rebuild a secondary school on its existing site.

Royton and Crompton School will be rebuilt on its current site in Blackshaw Lane. The move has upset the action group fighting for the new Saddleworth School also to be built on its current site in Uppermill.

Despite several pleas at last week’s full meeting of Oldham Council, the decision to move the school from the centre of Uppermill to Diggle was reaffirmed.

Keith Lucas of the Save Diggle Action Group (SDAG), said: “It’s interesting to note Royton and Crompton school could be rebuilt on its current site. Sadly for Saddleworth that was never an option, because the council’s housing development programme has taken priority over the education of Saddleworth children.”

The current Saddleworth School site in Uppermill covers 11 acres, while the new site in Diggle is 18 acres.

In comparison, Royton and Crompton is on a 21-acre site that is considered large enough for a rebuild while keeping the current school safely open in the interim.