Planners approve new church in Sale (From Messenger Newspapers)

Planners approve new church in Sale

9:00am Wednesday 27th January 2010 in News

A THRIVING Sale church has been given the go-ahead to build a new £4m home.

Planning chiefs unanimously approved a scheme that will see LifeChurch Manchester build a new church and community centre at its current base on the junction of Washway Road and Raglan Road.

The existing church and a council-owned community centre will be demolished and replaced with a two and a half storey building housing both facilities.

The church needs to expand to meet the needs of its growing congregation, which currently numbers about 500.

The new 400-seat church will include a large meeting room, creche and smaller meeting and administration rooms.

There will be a large foyer on the ground floor with an open plan cafe area, and 50 car parking spaces. The facilities will also be used by non-church members.

LifeChurch Manchester has so far raised £1.1m for the project through donations and fundraising. The fundraising drive will continue while the church aims to cover the remainder of the cost through a mortgage and grants. If everything goes to plan, building work will get underway early next year and the new building will open by Easter 2012.

LifeChurch Manchester, formerly Sale Baptist Church, tried unsuccessfully for several years to find a larger centre. It explored about 35 sites, and tried to buy several, before deciding to redevelop its current premises, where it has been based for more than 40 years.

There were two letters of objection to the scheme, on the grounds that it would be an overdevelopment and increase car parking problems.

But a council report said it met the car parking requirements of 50 spaces and 24 cycle spaces will also be provided. There will be no significant change in the type of activities that will take place at the church.

It added the building will fit in with the road.

David Rolles, operations manager at the church, said: "We are absolutely delighted that it went through without any problems."