Plans submitted to demolish Bolton church
A 160-year-old church could be demolished to make way for a new place of worship, if developer plans are approved.
Bolton Methodist Circuit, which oversees 20 churches in the Bolton area, is seeking permission to have demolition contractors take down the old Delph Hill Methodist Church on Chorley Old Road, and rebuild a smaller, modern structure on the site.
The Circuit has explored a number of options for the future of the house of worship, and a report they commissioned from Manchester architects, Byrom Clark Roberts, came to the decision that demolition was the best way forward.
"In the end it became obvious the correct approach on both design and cost grounds was to demolish the existing church building and build a new one," the report concluded. "This would enable the facilities provided to be 'tailored' to the requirements of the new church community."
The church is no longer used for worship, but is used as a community building and hosts a variety of activities. The plans have the support of other local community leaders, including chairman of the Bolton Civic Trust, Brian Tetlow. He said that the Trust welcomed any positive and well-thought-through change.
"I am sure they have taken into consideration all the issues so we would not want to be resistant to these proposals, or those of any religious group wanting to do the best for their community," he said.
The plans are currently under consideration by Bolton Council's planning committee.
