A ‘LANDMARK building’ in Dukinfield will be transformed if planning permission is granted.
Mohameed Suleman Niaz has applied to Tameside Council to convert the former Baptist Church on Oxford Road into a four-bedroomed house, a two-bedroomed property and a commercial unit.
Another two-storey home will also be built on the site, along with a detached garage block, car parking and two free-standing advertisement screens.
And documents supporting the application believe it will add to the area.
They state: “The proposals seek to fully utilise and revitalise the whole site retaining the existing landmark building in its entirety.
“They seek to convert the existing building, retaining all the prominent original external features window and door openings, stone heads, sills and dado/stone banding features.
“Where necessary, the building fabric will be further improved by internal insulation and new high performance window frames set within the existing stone surrounds.
“Careful consideration has been given to the new internal layout in order to retain as many of the existing architectural features as possible.
“The proposed use of two free standing digital display boards sited externally on the new hard landscaped courtyard outside the proposed commercial unit will, it is envisaged, prevent the need for any advertising to be placed on the building while still addressing the needs of the commercial unit occupier.
“The conversion of the existing building and use of the site to a mix of commercial and residential uses accords well in the general area and specifically this site.
“This application will ensure the retention and longevity of the existing landmark building and provide improved street scene landscaping which otherwise couldn’t be guaranteed.
“It will also provide high quality accommodation, both commercial and residential, and should fit harmoniously in the area.”
Dukinfield Baptist Church was placed on the market shortly after it closed in 2022 after 140 years of service.
Now after Mr Niaz, listed as living in the town, bought it, he is aiming to breathe a new life into the plot.
Planning permission will be granted or refused by Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee.