Plans in for Oldham church demolition
St Cuthbert’s Church and its vicarage are proposed for demolition to create 24 homes in Fitton Hill in Oldham.
The outline application was submitted by the Diocese of Manchester to Oldham Council. In submitting the scheme in outline ahead of a sale of the site, the Diocese’s representatives said this would retain “the design flexibility for any purchasers of the site, who will more than likely be developers possessing established house type designs.”
The 1.3- acre site has been out of use for several years, and according to the representatives, this is a common theme of similar sites across the country, and is one scheme in a larger overhaul of disused religious properties.
“A significant decline in congregation numbers over recent years has caused an increasing amount of diocese properties, both church and vicarages, to become vacant. The vacant properties are considered to be greatly out of character for their given area. To protect against unwanted activity, the diocese erect security hoardings which are deemed unsightly by local residents.
“In order to address these issues, the diocese have appointed Cordingleys to review a number of sites with a few to making them more sustainable properties.”
The application was prepared by Cordingsley’s Chartered Surveyors.
