Plans for a new factory have been approved despite concerns it would cut off access to a historic chapel that claimed to be the first ‘independent church in England’.

Tameside’s planning committee has granted approval for a two-storey industrial building on land off Globe Lane in Dukinfield. It would form part of Broadway Industrial Estate, which is an established employment area in Tameside’s local plan.

However the proposals by MAC Roofing had attracted objections, including from Denton and Reddish MP Andrew Gwynne and the Friends of Dukinfield Old Hall Chapel group, for which he is a patron.

The Old Hall Chapel is Grade-Two listed building, which dates back to the 16th century, is on the ‘at risk’ heritage register and is in a ‘very bad’ condition, according to Historic England. It was once the domestic chapel of the Duckenfield family of the now-demolished Dukinfield Hall.

The planning report states: “The Chapel claims to have been the first independent church in England, in the 17th century. Built in the reign of Henry VII (1485-1509), it was extended in the 19th century to become a congregational church and set alight by arsonists in 1978.

“Unfortunately, the area surrounding the building has lost its historic setting and the listed building is lost amongst industrial buildings.”

However Mr Gwynne’s objection stated: “The development as proposed would compromise the visual amenity of this historic site. There are also ongoing access issues to the site that need to be considered. This is an inappropriate development so close to a listed building.” 

Speaking at the planning meeting, objector Jill Nicholls from the Friends of Dukinfield Old Hall Chapel group said the development of land next to the chapel would make it difficult for them to create a safe access off Globe Lane for visitors.

The site was gifted in 1904 for educational purposes and then requisitioned for the war effort during World War Two. But there is no record of this stipulation being rescinded, she told the meeting.

“This is where Dukinfield began,” Ms Nicholls added. “The Friends of Dukinfield Old Hall Chapel have plans for the future of the site, one of which is to open it up for the education of local children to encourage appreciation of their heritage, pride in their town, and its place in history.

“The Friends have been working for 12 years to preserve this site. We should not forget or lose this important historical heritage. 

“A two-storey building will completely obscure the view of the chapel and of this important isolated heritage site which is the oldest in Dukinfield.”

She added they had made ‘strenuous efforts’ to acquire the ‘important historic site for posterity’.

Councillor Joyce Bowerman said: “Due to fire we’ve lost a lot of it but it is a significantly ancient building.”

“We should be revering it because it’s an ancient building but because of modern businesses it’s been sent into obscurity, which is a shame.”

The listing by Historic England for the chapel states: “Applications for consolidation and presentation of the chapel as a managed ruin were approved by the Local Authority but progress with the scheme stalled due to economic and ownership conditions.

“Historic England has funded a recording exercise and is in discussions with a friends organisation about securing the future of the site.”

However Historic England had made no formal objections to the application for the proposed industrial unit.

The ground floor would be laid out for general industrial purposes, with various machinery, welding areas and workbenches for industrial processes to be carried out, as well as office space, and would be used by the client MAC Roofing.

The unit has permission to be used for either general industrial use or storage and distribution, with access, loading and parking areas, and a substation.

Access to the site is primarily from Old Hall Street through the industrial estate but the local group had been told by regional group Heritage North West it needed to secure access off Globe Lane as the existing route was not safe or public.

Ms Nicholls said they currently had to ask the site owner for permission each time they needed to access the chapel, or for specific heritage open day access. “It’s a dangerous access,” she added.

Committee chair Coun David McNally said: “We’re not touching the site. Whether it is safe or not, the landowners around have never refused permission for you to visit this site.”

Head of planning Melanie Hale said: “It is not for a developer to facilitate access to this site. And to require that would not be sustainable at appeal, quite frankly. There is an alternative access to the site.” 

Councillors were told the building was currently ‘in ruins’, and that the proposed development would have only a ‘limited impact’ on the significance of the heritage asset.

Suspected archaeological remains potentially dating back to 1398 may be identified on the site due to be developed,and a condition has been attached to the approval which requires a programme of archaeological works to be submitted for consideration.

This should include a written scheme of investigation to investigate any possible archaeological interests on the site and include appropriate recording and inclusion of such records within the Historic Environment Record.

The planning application was approved unanimously.