Concerns have been raised over works carried out at a historic church and village green.

Chew Moor Methodist Church, which can trace its history back around 170 year, announced it was closing down in February last year.

But now villagers have been left upset after seeing works carried out on the site.

Cllr Martyn Cox, of Heaton, Lostock and Chew Moor, said: “In the past few days they have begun to tear up what people see as their village green so naturally people are quite concerned about it.

He added: “Understandably, people are quite worked up about it and as a consequence a public meeting will be held on Wednesday evening at 6.30pm.”

The church has been closed for more than a yearThe church has been closed for more than a year (Image: Newsquest)

The church’s new owner is as yet unknown. 

But a petition has now been started by Chew Moor villagers to try and get the work stopped, and preserve the grounds for the community.

The petition states: “The residents of Chew Moor, Lostock are horrified at the appalling destruction of the land adjacent to the former Methodist Church in Chew Moor."

The historic church was first built in1856 and extended in 1927 before undergoing a refurbishment inside in 1991.

ALSO READ: Historic 170-year-old church announces the date of its last service

ALSO READ: Long-established church set to close doors after almost 170 years

ALSO READ: Chew Moor Methodist Church last coffee morning

But in recent years the church’s congregation had declined, particularly after the Covid pandemic of 2020 and by 2023 had fallen to as few as 14 regular members.

Its last service was held on Easter Sunday, April 9 last year and the building has been unused ever since.

The meeting this evening will discuss the petition and discuss ways of resolving the development issue.

The village meeting will be held at 6.30pm on Wednesday June 26, at The Shed at Tempest United Football Club on Tempest Road, Chew Moor, BL6 4HL.