Plans to restore the site of a Grade II-listed former Methodist chapel in Shaw have been blocked, despite planning permission being granted. The owners of St Paul's Methodist Church on Rochdale Road fear that continued decay of the building would be 'the greatest loss' to Oldham.
History and Deterioration
The chapel was built in 1863, with school and nursery buildings added over subsequent decades. After years of closure, the roof partially collapsed in February 2019. Emergency works were carried out, but the building has continued to decay. The Methodist church has faced criticism for its handling of the historic structure.
Mohammadia Masjid and Islamic Centre purchased the site in 2021, intending to establish a community social and religious assembly. During site clearance, part of the chapel wall was accidentally demolished, though the owners pledged to reinstate it.
Planning and Listed Building Applications
On July 8, Oldham councillors considered a planning application for partial reconstruction of the church and Sunday school buildings, including reinstating a collapsed gable wall, forming a new permanent gable, and repairing structural and architectural elements. The scheme also included a landscaped garden within the existing graveyard and refurbishment of railings.
While the planning application was narrowly approved, a subsequent application for listed building consent was refused after chair councillor Garth Harkness cast the deciding vote. Officers had warned that refusal could lead to costs against the council if an appeal was lost and would 'put the council in a very difficult position'.
Arguments for Restoration
Planning officers noted that the chapel building had been demolished with permission on public safety grounds before the current owners took over, but there had been hopes of rebuilding. They said the planning application aimed to restore the building and secure its future.
The trustees of the Islamic centre stated their plans were to give the building 'an opportunity to have a future once again' by preserving and protecting what remains, adding: 'We believe allowing the building to continue deteriorating would represent the greatest loss not only to our organisation but to the wider community and heritage of Oldham.' They emphasised that restoration would be carried out properly, saying: 'Our ambition is simple. We want to bring new life into a building that has stood empty for far too long. We want it to become a place that benefits local residents.'
Local and Heritage Concerns
Shaw councillor Marc Hince, speaking as a representative for the area, said: 'It's not about who prays there or what god they pray to? That's a matter for them,' adding: 'The real tragedy is why we're sitting here and that building is in that condition today and people who are accountable for that are not here to explain themselves.' He noted that illegal works had occurred but enforcement action was taken, and the new owners came to understand the site's historical importance through discussions. He endorsed the application as 'the least worst option'.
Dawn Barnsley, from a local heritage group, raised concerns about artefacts and stained glass windows whose whereabouts were unknown, stating: 'For the owners to say they did not realise the full implications of owning a Grade II listed building does not absolve them of their duty to maintain and reinstate the building.' She emphasised that the application 'needs to be handled delicately and with compassion for the families of the deceased who are buried', noting there are 401 graves on the site, 98 of which are baby graves.
While Coun Hince dismissed some of these claims as speculation, he added: 'I do think we should be mindful of these artefacts if they are there and all attempts should be made to locate and preserve them.'
Impact of Refusal
As the site is listed and listed building consent has been refused, the restoration work cannot proceed. The decision leaves the future of the historic building uncertain, with continued decay likely without intervention.
