New life in death for Macclesfield Chapel

The chapel in Macclesfield cemetery, which has been used as offices, could be converted to hold funerals.

Grade II listed Macclesfield Chapel, owned by Cheshire East Council, was built in 1866 and had been used as offices until 2017. Cheshire East Council has now submitted a planning application to convert the building back to chapel use.

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A design and access statement, submitted by David Trowler Associates, on  behalf of the council, states: “Cheshire East/Orbitas wish to reinstate the interior of the building to allow the building to be used as its original intended use as a Chapel of Rest.

“To the exterior of the building, level access will need to be provided to allow all users attending a service to access the building without assistance.

“The external area surrounding the building will also need to be altered to provide suitable parking for the funeral cars and hearse.”

The document states the council and Orbitas (the council-owned company which runs bereavement services, cemeteries and crematoria) have identified the need to reinstate the chapel back to its original use.

The statement continues: “The proposal will ensure continued use of the building and provide much-needed maintenance and restore the building to its previous use.”

Cllr Joy Bratherton, speaking as chair of Orbitas, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The chapel at Macclesfield has stood unused for many years and this is an attempt to reinvigorate the building and increase the capacity for services and other events at Macclesfield Cemetery.”

The LDRS has contacted Cheshire East to ask how much the scheme would cost, if approved, and how it would be funded.

The planning application, number 24/1184M, can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council’s website.