Health centre site “ruled out” before assessment done

Oldham Liberal Democrats are demanding answers after Cabinet Member Elaine Taylor appeared to declare the former Saddleworth School site was being brought forward for housing, while the viability assessment for using it for a new health centre was still ongoing. 

In reply to a public question at full council this week, Councillor Taylor declared that a contractual matter regarding a telecoms tower on the site had been completed, and the site would now be brought forward for housing.

However, following requests from the local Liberal Democrats, the Saddleworth School site is currently one of the locations being looked at in a feasibility study into locations for the new health centre. 

Local Liberal Democrat councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “It’s incredibly frustrating to have officers do the work – and for the Council to be spending money on this study – and for the cabinet member to then announce that the site is going to be coming forward as housing before they’ve finished the study.

“We want any decision on the location for the health centre and the use of the former school site to be based on the facts. Now we seem not to have a choice about the matter. 

“The Labour administration appear to be just bulldozing through their plan to put homes on the site, regardless of whether it is the best option for the community.”