‘Crazy’ proposal to build a school next to... a school
EDUCATION chiefs in Rochdale are considering building a new high school – next door to a high school.
The proposal has been labelled ‘crazy’ by critics.
If approved, the move would see a 900-place secondary school built on Rutherford Park in Wardle, backing on to the existing Wardle Academy.
It would also see an amateur football club lose its home.
The proposal was discussed by councillors behind closed doors at a meeting on Tuesday night.
But after learning of the plans, officials from Wardle FC, which is based at Rutherford Park, attended the public forum section of the meeting to raise their concerns.
In a post on Facebook, Wardle Juniors FC wrote: “Whilst we all agree that the current issues regarding a lack of secondary places needs to be urgently addressed – it is our strong opinion that Rutherford Park, given its tremendous history and setting, needs to stay as a place of football and recreation.
“There are better locations around the area which would serve the community better.”
The M.E.N. understands Rutherford Park is one of two sites under consideration for a new secondary school in the Pennines area of Rochdale.
Council bosses are also running the rule over the site of the old Littleborough High School on Calderbrook Road, which closed in 1990.
Wardle councillor Ashley Dearnley said: “It is a crazy situation to plan to end up with two schools next door to one another.
“I also want the playing fields to remain for the youth of the area.
“The public expects it to be on the old Littleborough High School site and that is where I would expect it to be.
“Creating two schools on what is effectively one site would double the amount of traffic on the A58, which is already very busy.
“It’s not what the public of Littleborough or Wardle would want to see.”
It’s hoped the new school will be open by 2022.
A council spokeswoman said: “The council is currently exploring potential sites in the north Pennines area, as there is a need for places, but no decision has as yet been taken.”
In February, the M.E.N. revealed how Rochdale council had signed off on ‘secret’ plans to build a high school on Bowlee Park in Middleton.
Public and press were excluded when a vote was taken at a town hall cabinet meeting just before Christmas.
The decision to vote on the proposal behind closed doors was slammed by campaigners, who accused council bosses of being ‘secretive.’