The Salford Central United Reformed Church, in Ordsall, is on a site needed for a new é25m school to be linked to the planned Media City at Salford Quays.
It was expected that the church would be bulldozed, but developers of the school have now submitted revised plans which would retain the church. And these have been approved by the council's planning committee.
The church, on Trafford Road, has been in talks with the Oasis Trust, a Christian foundation chosen by Salford council to run the school, which will be the city's second academy - a replacement for Hope High in Pendleton.
Formerly known as the Central Mission, the red-brick and stone Edwardian building is 100 years old and, although not listed, is on the council's list of buildings of historical importance. It is still used as a church and has three shops occupying the ground level.
The building is now expected to be retained in the final design for the school.
A report to councillors said: "Its value is identified as being in its tremendous townscape presence at this important gateway to the Quays, the architectural quality of its impressive faéade and its historical association with the Ordsall community."
When it first opened, it also provided education and health care facilities.
The school will specialise in media and business enterprise studies. Its construction will require the demolition of the Broadway Industrial Estate. Tweet
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Something is going on ? we have knocked some very important and historical buildings over the last few years why all of a sudden is there a change of heart (could it be grants Ect) I saw a 600 year old pub knocked down on the a6 stockport (waggon and horses) to be replaced by ugly looking appartments.Surely this should have been saved? But nothing was said or done to protect this building?? MONEY OVERTURNS EVERYTHING.
Well done Salford Council.
But I agree with you Bo about the A6. Virtually every building of any architectural interest, that lined the A6 from Longsight to the Mancunian Way, has been knocked down.
It must be now the most "bland" stretch of road anywhere in the country.
places like this give salford a bad name, lets get rid of it its a karzi
I cannot believe that they would even consider knocking a piece of architecture like this down to build something horrible and probably glass. Will they not be happy until they have turned all of Gt. Manchester into a giant greenhouse?
Bo, that's because it's a different planning committee for each different council. The A6 to Stockport doesn't fall under the auspices of Salford. This is one of the few historic buildings left on The Quays and fortunately it's being kept. Yippee!
This story is rediculous, it is about time that the church was kncoked down, before it falls down around the people who use the building. I regularly attend the church and it is starting to become increasingly annoying that people who obviously aren't that bothered about Salford Central becasuse they aren't atending the church can write comments and complain about the proposed demolition of the building. It is time for change and the intentions of Oasis are honourable but modern. The programme is based on regeneration and a better commuinty life. I do not see how people who have no sentiment with Salford Central Untied Reformed Church can possibly comment on an issue which is none of their business.