Historic chapel to be transformed into new high-tech engineering space

A Grade II-listed chapel in Middleton will be transformed into a new high-tech engineering facility with a visual reality suite.

The historic Milnrow Chapel sits within the campus of Hopwood Hall College, who have got planning permission to turn it into a new teaching space. The new classrooms within the building will be used by the college’s engineering and manufacturing T-Levels curriculum.

The inside will be converted into four new classrooms/computer labs; a virtual reality suite; two staff offices; as well as server rooms and toilet accommodation.

Repair and maintenance works will also be needed on the building’s exterior to bring it back to its former glory. Milnrow Chapel was originally designed as a place of worship but was deconsecrated in the 1990s. 

It was previously converted by the college for use as a fitness centre and for other sports use. It is currently used as a storage facility. 

 

 

“The chapel is considered as an important local landmark but it has been underutilised for many years due to the issues of accessibility, thermal performance, presence of asbestos to the roof soffit and the need for significant investment to bring the building back into meaningful use,” planning papers read.

“The college wishes to undertake works to convert the former chapel into a dedicated T-level Engineering and Virtual Reality (VR) learning centre.

“This project will generate funding for the repair and restoration of the historic fabric, bringing the building back into long-term use as a central part of the college and safeguarding the future of this important heritage asset.”

Milnrow Chapel was originally designed as a place of worship for the De La Salle College in the 1960s to support the college community as the site continued to grow. It was constructed during an important period of reform for the Catholic Church following the introduction of the Liturgical Movement in the UK in the 1950s.

The site is located towards the north west of the college grounds and elevated on a grassed bank with trees surrounding the site. An existing path leads from the north of the site towards the Grade II* listed Hopwood Hall.

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter