A 'mega church' will be built in Blackley despite fears about a massive influx of traffic. The 5,000 sqm building will be built on Chain Road after the demolition of former convent buildings on the land, and could have 1,100 people turning up for services at one time on its busiest days.
Plans scaled back after concerns
World Mission Agency, which is currently based on Broughton Lane in Salford, is behind the plans for the new church to meet demand for its 'growing congregation'. It was originally supposed to have a maximum of 1,500 people attending its special services at any one time, but the numbers were scaled back after 'concerns' about how it could pile pressure on the roads.
The plans have caused controversy in Blackley, leading to 25 objections from neighbours, who said the area 'cannot support such a large flow of more traffic'. Despite the fears, the plans were approved unanimously by Manchester council's planning committee on Thursday.
Residents' concerns raised
In an email to the planning committee sent before the meeting, Reform Councillor Martin Power said: "I would like to bring your attention to the amount of feeling around the proposed building, what is now being called by the residents a mega church. I've had over 100 comments on the higher Blackley community page that people are very unhappy with the proposed building. Their concerns are that their area is already heavily congested, parking is going to be an issue, there are many other churches in the area. They're also unhappy that this church is being moved from another area from Salford and then being built up here. They don't feel they're being consulted on the issue properly and are very concerned about this huge impact it will have on the amount of people in and out of their area."
Labour Councillor Julie Connolly also spoke at the meeting raising concerns on behalf of residents, saying there could be 'a lot of traffic' in the area during services.
Traffic mitigation measures
Council officers pointed out that the biggest Sunday special services, which are held five times a year, would be capped to a maximum of 1,100 people attending at any one time, and that many of those who visit the church share cars, which will reduce the traffic impact. It was explained that regular Sunday events would be split into three different services, drawing 'just under 400' people per service at any one time.
Adewale Adekoya, representing the church as the applicant, said: "I have seen a few comments online saying that we as a church are trying to impose ourselves on Blackley, but we are a community-based church and we have a lot of branches across the UK. Our ethos is to be based in the community, and our vision for Blackley is to grow with that community, not to impose something. The main objections I have seen online are the impact on traffic and parking, these issues have been dealt with rigorously by the professionals here."
Planning reports explained that the church will have parking provision with 189 spaces in total. Conditions on the application require that a report is sent to the council every six months to show how the numbers of attendees at all services/events are monitored, and to demonstrate compliance with the maximum number of attendees at any one time being 1,100.
Building features
The new church will be based in a two-storey building with a 'large chapel' along with a multi-purpose hall/youth development centre, classrooms for children, as well as indoor play space, a wellness centre/gym, bookshop, and a restaurant/cafe.
