Decision details

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Economy which sought approval of the Head of Terms attached to this report, which would trigger the Department for Education (DfE) to undertake feasibility and site investigations on the above site.

It was reported the asset comprised the site of the former North Chadderton Lower School; together with an adjoining area of landscaped land. The site could be accessed off junction 21 of the M60 and was located fronting Broadway; close to the A627M. The facilities formerly provided by the school had been replaced on the North Chadderton Upper School site, and consequently the lower school site was cleared and surplus to the Council’s requirements.

The site was surrounded by Chadderton Cemetery to the west; areas of open space to the north and south, and the fire station to the east; across Broadway. In 2017, the Council, in accordance with statutory procedures, advertised its intention to dispose of the public open space at the south of the school site (formerly asset L00701 and now incorporated within L00183). One objection was received from the Ramblers Association, but formal Council approval was given for the disposal of the whole site in November 2017.

Since then, the site had been considered for the development of a new primary school for Chadderton.  The Council received confirmation on the 5th February 2021, that the Secretary of State for Education (SofS), had decided that the application made for ‘Chadderton Primary Academy: Mainstream, non-faith mixed primary school with nursery provision in Oldham’ at this site should proceed to the next stage of the process, the pre-opening phase. It was proposed that this land will be the permanent site for a new free school, Chadderton Primary Academy.

Options/Alternatives

Option 1 - The Council could choose to do nothing and not approve the Heads of Terms. The Council would not benefit from a new primary school to be paid for by the Department for Education. The Council would need to pay for a new school to be able to accommodate the primary school places.

Option 2 - Approve the Heads of Terms. This option would provide the borough with a new primary school, paid for by the Department of Education, and meet the need for additional school places. 

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information contained at Item 13 of the agenda before making a decision.