Locals ‘duped’ over leisure proposals — Sykes

FORMER council leader Howard Sykes believes Shaw and Crompton residents have been “duped” as he slammed plans to replace the local swimming baths.

Lib-Dem leader and Shaw councillor Sykes has been campaigning to stop the closure of Crompton Pool — known locally as Shaw Baths.

Now he believes his worst fears will come true when Cabinet members are asked to support Royton as the preferred location for a new facility — to replace both Shaw and Royton sports centres — at a meeting on Monday night.

Oldham Council revealed nine sites are currently under consideration to serve the whole of Royton, Shaw and Crompton as part of the borough’s leisure-estate review.

The top-six ranked sites are in Royton with King Street car park, the former Byron Street Primary School and unknown commercial land among favoured spots.

Councillor Sykes said: “The report provides no evidence of a detailed assessment being carried out and fails to show how the preferred list of sites was arrived at.

“The citizens of Shaw and Crompton have been duped. This is business as usual for this Labour administration, who continue to thumb their noses at those who have an alternative view.”

Two possible sites fell at the initial appraisal stage — Shaw Market, due to its small size, and land near Bullcote Park, Royton, which was sold at auction last month. Current proposals follow a public borough-wide consultation, which ended earlier this month.

The majority of concerns by Oldham residents was in relation to the proposed closure of Crompton Pool and Fitness Centre.

Other possible council-owned sites include Royton and Crompton School and the former Matthias Pilling House in Shaw.

Labour councillor Hugh McDonald said: “The purpose of these proposals is to ensure each district has fit-for-purpose and high-quality leisure facilities.

“Following a robust appraisal of 14 different sites in the Shaw, Crompton and Royton district it is recommended that a facility to serve this district should be sited in Royton.

“We hope a new leisure centre will become part of a wider re-development scheme for Royton. This report also proposes that we enter discussions with Shaw and Crompton Parish Council to potentially transfer the Crompton Pool and Fitness Centre to them to run.”