Oldham church empty for a decade could become flats

The proposal focuses on the former Northmoor Methodist Church based on Kirkbank Street, Oldham.

According to a planning statement prepared by Planning Management Ltd on behalf of the applicant, the church has been empty for more than 10 years.

When last used, it operated as the site for a supplier and manufacturer of upvc doors and windows, with the attached one-storey building serving as a manufacturing space, while the church was used for storage.

The former Northmoor Methodist Church on Kirkbank Street (Image: Google Maps)

However, new plans have laid out how the two buildings could become 10 new flats, all of which would have on bedroom.

The planning statement says the church is believed to have been built in the late 19th century as an urban Anglican church with a gothic design.

The structure is not a listed building, and although it has not been used in at least a decade, it is said to be "structurally sound with minimal defects".

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However, the planning document states that the former church has began to look more "tired and unloved" due to its lack of use.

The 10 flats would be a mix of four traditional apartments and six studio flats.

Five of the studio flats would be based in the church building, where a suspended ceiling would be installed, while the four traditional apartments and one other studio unit would be in the attached building.

Five studio flats would be developed in the former church building (Image: Planning Management Ltd)

As part of the plans, a first floor extension would take place on the attached building, which would allow for one of the traditional flats and the sixth studio unit.

The planning statement says limited alterations would take place to the exterior of the former church, while eight parking spots would be made available for potential residents.

The site is close to Oldham Way, however the planning statement says there is a "significant landscape buffer" which would minimise noise from traffic.

It concludes by arguing that the development would provide "a good quality residential development which would bring a positive contribution into the area of inner Oldham".

As well, it adds that the proposal would bring an existing property of local significance back into use.