Plans have been submitted to transform a disused church building into office space.
The current New Jerusalem Church, on Stand Lane in Radcliffe, was built in the 1970s – but the site has housed a church and adjoining graveyard for centuries.
A planning statement supporting the office proposal has been submitted by Cockwill & Co Ltd on behalf of the applicant, Hotspot Heating Ltd.
The statement reads: "The applicant considers that the proposal is sustainable and acceptable and would not cause a detrimental impact on the neighbouring residential area or the strategic green space and would provide a contribution towards the office requirements and make good use of a previously empty building.
"The configuration of the existing property is such that the business can operate under one roof."
The application outlines that the proposed office hours will be from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday only.
The development plan includes provision for 10 parking spaces at the site. The supporting documents reveal that there are plans for eight full-time and two part-time staff to work there if the plans are given the green light. The application says no external structural alterations to the building are planned.
The site's history as a place of worship, including as the Baptist New Jerusalem, dates back to 1783. The church is surrounded by numerous gravestones, many of which date back to the 19th century. According to www.findagrave.com, there are 67 memorials at the site.
Bury planners will make a decision on the proposals in the coming weeks.
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