New Saddleworth School Update

February 27, 2020 Chris 3495 Views 0 Comments

New Saddleworth school – demolition begins on new site

An important milestone has been reached as part of plans to deliver a new school, so our children have the best facilities to learn in. The owner of the WH Shaw Pallet site in Diggle has begun demolition from Monday (24th February 2020) and contractors are expected to be on-site for around 12 weeks. The works signal the start of an important stage in the plans to build the new Saddleworth School.

new-saddleworth-school-canal-walkway-view — Canal walkway view

Oldham Council’s planning committee granted permission for the Department for Education to go ahead with their plans for the site. Consents also included permission to demolish five existing buildings on the site – which has been empty for years – and access and highways works.

w-h-shaw-site-diggle — Some of the dilapidated industrial buildings to be cleared at the rear of the WH Shaw site in Diggle

Once complete, as well as boasting start-of-the-art facilities, Saddleworth School will have an increased pupil capacity from 1,350 to 1,500 This is to meet the increasing demand for school places.

new-saddleworth-school-view-from-the-road — View from the road

Councillor Shaid Mushtaq, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “Making sure every one of our children gets a good education is and always has been, a priority for us.

“Being taught in the best facilities is a big part of that – no child should be taught in a building which is not fit for purpose and unfortunately that is what the existing Saddleworth School is.

saddleworth-school-now — Saddleworth School

“We’ll continue to work closely with the landowner, the school and the Department for Education to make sure progress is made and we deliver a new school for our children. They deserve the best surrounding to learn in, and we will work hard to minimise disruption to local residents.”