New church to be built on grounds of former town centre bank

Former Barclays bank on Long Street, Middleton

The site of a former Barclays will become a church two years after the bank closed its doors.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God will build their newest new place of worship in Middleton. Following council approval, this will be the latest addition to a growing number of the faith’s churches in the Greater Manchester area.

There are no major internal or external changes planned by the church group.

Plans for church on Long Street drew in 51 letter of objection. Some locals were concerned about potential traffic impact in the area.

They believe this is because the plan lacks any parking options. 

Other concerns from objectors include overdevelopment of a number of places of worship in Middleton as well as it being ‘inappropriate’ for the area.

Despite this, highways officers at Rochdale Council are confident there would be no increase in traffic in the area as a result of the development.

Planning officers also suggested that the application is only for a change of use, meaning the building would effectively look the same, so would not be deemed ‘inappropriate’ or ‘overdevelopment’. 

The Redeemed Christian Church of God is a form of Christianity founded in 1952 in Nigeria. It has a presence in 197 countries and territories across the world as well as millions of members in Nigeria alone.

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter