Councillors show faith in £7m centre

Oldham Planning Committee
WERNETH House will be transformed into a £7 million multi-faith community centre.

Councillors voted unanimously to approve charity UK Islamic Mission’s (UKIM) plans to turn the derelict building into a multi-functional centre that will be used as its national headquarters.

The former Sun Alliance Insurance building in Manchester Road, Oldham, was bought by the organisation for just under £4million and £3million will be spent on turning it into a flagship building, open to people of all faiths.

It will become a business and community centre containing a restaurant, gym, education centre, book and clothes shops, a welfare service and offices.

There will be a hall for seminars, weddings and other family and community functions, as well as education and business uses, plus a prayer space and a designated multi-faith area.

New front and side entrance lobbies and a central glazed courtyard will be constructed with space for 224 cars. The development will bring 72 full and part time jobs to Werneth.

Vincent Ryan, for the applicant, said it would transform a tired, incongruous, building not fitting for a gateway site.

It would have strong sustainability credentials with renewable energy above 40 per cent and valuable education functions providing young people with skills and knowledge.

He added that it will be a community facility open to all sectors to help create a harmonised, tolerant society.

Councillors said the fact it had been empty for five years with no one else showing an interest in buying the building showed it was not viable as an employment site.

The council was sent six letters of objection with concerns raised that the centre will only serve Muslims, the building should be used for employment purposes, increased traffic would put children at risk and it would create noise and disturbance.

But two letters of support said the centre will greatly improve the area, create jobs and provide much- needed services, while the vacant building has attracted litter, vandalism and anti-social behaviour.