Local Shaw and Crompton councillors are aware of the works currently taking place at the former St Paul’s Methodist Church, on Rochdale Road, Shaw. These works are part of the previously approved demolition consent granted in 2019 (PA/343832/19).
www.oldham.gov.uk/info/200351/planning
“As part of ensuring that these works are carried out in line with the planning consent, we have asked Oldham Council’s Planning Enforcement to monitor the works and ensure that they are taking place lawfully and appropriately,” stated councillor Chris Gloster.
Council enforcement officers visited the site last week and sought assistances from the owners that they were complying with the requirements of the planning consent and are monitoring the site clearance along with maintaining a visual record of works taking place.
“These are the facts of the matter as we know them,” added councillor Gloster. “Lots of other things are being suggested which are just not true as some people try to make mischief in the community.”
There are a lot of rumours circulating about the building.
In order to reassure people, as to the intended future use of the site, would it be possible to advise residents of Shaw and those of us with roots in the area accordingly. The former Church was at the gateway to Shaw in a prominent position having served the community well over the years. It would be a start to give details of the identity of the new owners of the site and fully advise people of what lies in store. There has been very little publicity and from reading comments finding details of a planning application look to have been very elusive.
Perhaps you could make public the full details of the application.
The planning application is from the collapse and is about making the building safe.
PA/343832/19
https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/200351/planning
There is no more current applications
Thanks very much for your email on my questions about St Paul’s church-I appreciate you appraising me of the situation on such a major town building. Thanks so much.P Cowley
You are welcome.
Best wishes.
I am the Chair of the Oldham & District Family History Society. We have transcribed the burial registers for St Pauls in all that we are aware of. My question is “has any provision been made for the preservation of the old gravestones at the front of the Chapel and those down the passageway between the Chapel and what was the nursery”
Please email me howard.sykes@oldham.gov.uk and will see what I can find out.
Best wishes.
Hi Howard,
On the accessions that. We have passed the site,we have witnessed perhaps 6 or 8 persons NOT wearing hard hats,whilst heavy equipment was being used.
Isn’t it being converted into a mosque? As the owners are Mohammadia Masjid occuring to the FOI ? Their workers seem to like parking on double yellow lines and obstructing traffic
Thanks for the comment. Do not understand by ‘occurring to the FOI’. Could you please clarify – thanks.
The owners have told us community rooms, a prayer room and not a Mosque.
Was not aware of the workers parking issue and will take that up.
So the building is guaranteed not to be a mosque. I thought they already had a meeting hall & prayer room round the corner from the this site.
As a former place of worship and a school and nursery it would not need planning permission for any change of use. It will have to conform with building regulation and listed building permissions. I understand the listed building issue is why has stopped.
It would now seem planning permission has been applied for. Could you please advise what is going to be built there. I don’t like listing to rumours. So I thought I would ask….
This is news to me. Please can you contact me directly: howard.sykes@oldham.gov.uk with your contact details – address etc and will do my best to deal with your query. Hope to hear from you soon. Best wishes.
Hello Mr Sykes,
Sorry to trouble you on a Sunday morning
I belong to a What’s App group in High Crompton.
I have just been asked if I am going to the meeting to object to the building of a mosque on the site of St Paul’s Church.
It was news to me.
I would oppose a mosque for a number of reasons.
But is it true?
Are you aware of a meeting? If so where is it being staged.
The What’s App message suggested ‘tension was mounting’.
I’m not surprised after the appalling attack on police men and women at Manchester Airport.
Would genuinely appreciate your feedback.
Kind regards
Steve Lord
Please email me direct and will try to give you the facts of this matter. Please do not forget to state your address full address.
Hope to hear from you soon. Best wishes. howard.sykes@oldham.gov.uk
I am hoping for the sake of peace that this Church is not being converted to a Mosque. There are far too many Mosques in Oldham and Oldham Council seem to pass anything that is applied for these days, even if there are objections.
It’s clear that the residents of Shaw and their representatives are being Hoodwinked by whoever is driving this St Paul’s conversion/rebuild/ whatever. No one seems to know exactly what is intended for the site except for those who have purchased the building. The fact that there is so much confusion and secrecy only points to what is being said by the new owners is not the whole truth and nothing but the truth. We the objectors need someone ( a TSAR) who can get to the bottom of this and then act on behalf of Shaw to reach an amicable solution between all parties.
C mcall the right thing to do is to follow the law and stop trying to bend the rules.
And if as the owners say the site is going to be a communal place for every one.
Why not start by being open with the residents of Shaw answer some questions and open the doors up so people can see the stone, memorials, windows, and fixtures and fittings that residents are being told are being stored. Starting off on the right foot will only unite our community.
Be open be honest.
Good point and agree 100%