Manchester church tipped for go-ahead
World Mission Agency wants to build a 1,500-capacity church off Chain Road in Blackley for its growing congregation.
The plans involve the demolition of a former convent located on a 2.5-acre site and the creation of a 57,000 sq ft, two-storey church to replace the current Winners Chapel on Salford’s Broughton Lane.
The scheme would feature a 10,000 sq ft auditorium for services as well as community facilities such as classrooms and a gym.
Several objections to the scheme have been lodged, many of them raising concerns about the potential for increased traffic congestion due to the number of people using the church.
As a result, Manchester City Council’s highways team has recommended attendees be capped at 1,100.
Manchester City Council has recommended the project for approval and its planning committee next meets on 27 August.
In conclusion, the council’s planning department said the project “would enable the creation of place of worship within a well-designed modern building which incorporates facilities to meet the needs of those using their current place of worship”.
Mojo Architects has drawn up the plans for the church, with Zerum acting as the planning agent.
The project’s consultant team includes Miller Goodall, Tyler Grange, Orion Heritage, Arbtech, Harley Haddow, Mosodi, GIA, Roscoe Engineering, Land Studio, and Jensen Hughes.
To view the application, use the reference number 141622/FO/2024 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.
At the same meeting, plans for a Jewish school on Crumpsall Lane return for another bid at approval having been rejected earlier this month.
Concerns over highway safety led to councillors to commence the rejection process for the application from charity Binas Yisachar, which would have converted a former care home into two-form primary school for up to 120 children with special needs.
The applicant has submitted more information relating to highways and the city council has recommended the project for approval once more.
To learn more about the scheme, search for reference number 143452/FO/2025 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.
Great news
By Anonymous
Never heard of them. One thing is for sure though, it will be a registered charity and will be taking tax payer money as well as being run like a business.
By Anonymous
Wonderful
By Anonymous
We have enough problems with traffic for our lady’s high school without making more problems with this on chain road
We will have the traffic overflowing on cooper lane Alworth road and Howden road
Crazy more traffic more problems with aggressive drivers not giving way for each other
Accidents waiting to happen
By Esther davis
There are already churches in blackley and in my opinion you don’t need another
By Anonymous
@August 20, 2026 at 4:09 pm
By Anonymous
This church in question is a Nigerian Pentecostal one – and they’re rarely empty, unlike some of the ‘mainline’ denominations.
By Anonymous
Great news! That place will be really transformed to a positive use. We can’t wait to see it happen.
By Anonymous
But it’s not in the shape of a cross!
By Annie inmouse
This is awesome. As a charity, the community centre will give blackly another facelift. I have heard about them and they have buses that bring their members to and from church so the traffic situation won’t be too bad. The biggest benefit in my view is the youth engagement that they are known for, will reduce youth restiveness and violence in the area.
Good luck.
By Anonymous
That’s a great news . It will be a remodelling of the old Covent and bring development to the area without any issues. The church services is on Sunday without additional traffic burden to the area.
By Austin
1500 people though! Far too big. It’s housing we need not giant churches of dubious origin.
By Anonymous
Congratulations
Blessed be the name of our God for his beautiful house.
By ERA
It would be much better to build homes
By Anonymous
I wouldn’t call 1,500 capacity “AWESOME ” As someone has called it… using Buses to bring people in… the carpark wont be big enough for starters. And ive read “Prayers ” start at 6am Every Day…. Marvellous, the congestion of cars, and people parking where they want, ive seen it at the mosque on Culcheth Lane,parking cars where they can.. no respect for the neighbours,
By Anonymous