Churches make way for housing

DEMOLITION plan . . . Shaw’s United Reform Church

THE fate of two former churches in Shaw and Saddleworth has been decided.

The 116-year-old Shaw United Reformed Church will be replaced by six apartments.

A planning application to convert the former Delph Chapel into nine apartments have also been approved after proposals to include private gardens were dropped.

It is part of Delph Conservation Area and the proposals originally stalled amid concerns that gravestones would be removed.

Engineers have been monitoring Shaw United Reformed Church which has rot and structural problems. Last year they said it was no longer safe and it was closed.

The Rochdale Road church plans to use the money from the housing development to extend the hall to create a foyer, worship space, office and community facilities. But the 50-strong congregation will still have to raise £260,000 to make the vision a reality.