Mortuary ‘unfit for future use’ to be replaced after more than 15 years

An aerial view of the Coldhurst Central Mosque, showing the prefab buildings and new mortuary. Taken from planning documents

An Oldham mortuary based in a run-down prefab building for more than 15 years old will finally get a much-needed overhaul.

The weathered single story outbuildings behind Oldham Central Mosque and Islamic Centre in Coldhurst will be demolished to make way for a building ‘more befitting the street scene’, according to architects Manor Architecture.

Oldham council approved an application submitted by the Central Mosque on Featherstall Road to build a three-storey brick building which will combine community, retail and funeral spaces.

The basement will contain the mortuary, including a viewing room and cold stores, creating a space more suited to the needs of the Muslim community in Oldham. 

The ground floor will feature four small retail spaces across 113 square metres and there’ll be a multi-purpose function room for use by the mosque on the first floor.

The new build will also include accessible entry points via a covered walkway leading from the mosque and a lift. 

The prefab units currently in use as a morgue have been there since before the mosque was built in 2009, and are ‘in a state of poor repair and are now unfit for prolonged future use’, according to a design statement. 

The designs by Manor Architecture promise to remain in keeping with the surrounding area and the mosque, which comprises a mixture of historic red-brick mill buildings and new-build homes. 

Officer Emma Breheny wrote: “The proposed design and appearance of the building is a considerable improvement on what currently exists on the land. … The mortuary use has been operating in the prefabricated structures on site and no objections are raised to the use continuing within the basement of the new building.” 

The mosque is asking for donations to help complete the build of the mortuary and multi-purpose hall, which can be done via the Oldham Central Masjid website.

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