A former Barclays branch building in Middleton is set to be transformed into a church, two years after the bank shut its doors.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)has received council approval to establish their newest place of worship at the site, adding to the growing number of the faith's churches in the Greater Manchester area
Despite receiving 51 letters of objection from locals concerned about potential traffic impact and overdevelopment, Rochdale Council's highways officers are confident there would be no increase in traffic as a result of the development.
Planning officers also noted that the application is only for a change of use, meaning the building's appearance would remain the same.
No major internal or external changes are planned.
As the building would effectively look the same and the application was for a change of use, this work would not be deemed 'inappropriate' or 'overdevelopment'.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God, a form of Christianity founded in Nigeria in 1952, has a presence in 197 countries and territories worldwide, with millions of members in Nigeria alone.
