Plans to create a new place of worship in Manchester for a church associated with so-called gay 'conversion therapy' have been pulled following a backlash.
The planning application to use part of the ground floor at the Sheridan Suite in Oldham Road as a place of worship for Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, a Pentecostal church from Nigeria, has now been withdrawn. A restaurant and bar at the function room facility in Miles Platting were set to be used for religious purposes according to the application lodged in March.
But concerns were raised about the church - which already has a presence in Greater Manchester - and its association with so-called 'conversion therapy'. It comes after the Liverpool ECHO exposed a branch of the church in Anfield offering a 'cure' for homosexuality through a three-day starvation programme.
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When the undercover reporter asked the church’s pastor to comment back in 2017, he claimed the church does not discriminate against anyone’s sexuality. Since then, the government has announced plans to ban so-called conversion therapy for gay and bisexual people in England and Wales – but as it stands, the bill currently in Parliament excludes trans people from these protections.
Miles Platting and Newton Heath councillor John Flanagan said he welcomes and supports all people of faiths and none, but described the views allegedly held by Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries as 'extreme' and 'dangerous'. He said: "These views do not respect my, my residents or Manchester’s values and are contrary to the respect, harmony and love we in Manchester show to everyone.
"Manchester is a city of respect and love for everyone. I see no place in our proud and loving city for those who practice such extreme and dangerous beliefs."
The Labour councillor described the three-day 'deliverance' programmes in which participants do not eat or drink to cure homosexuality as 'dangerous'. He also objected to the application on the grounds that it would lead to an 'over intensification' of the site, saying that the existing facilities and car park are 'inadequate' to host a church service and a function at the same time.
Manchester council planners recommended that the application is refused on the grounds it would have an 'unduly harmful impact' on the area, saying the 'increased comings and going' would create parking and traffic problems. However, the application was withdrawn before it could be put to a vote.
A spokesperson for the Sheridan Suite said the application was withdrawn as soon as they were made aware of the alleged practices within the Church. Coun Flanagan praised the business for listening to the concerns of the community and promised to work with the Sheridan Suite on future plans.
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Labour councillor Chris Wills, who is the lead member for LGBT+ Men at Manchester council, said the city has a 'rich history' of fighting for rights. He said: "I was appalled to hear that a planning application had been submitted by an organisation that practises so-called 'conversion therapy'.
"This barbaric practice, which has caused untold misery to many LGBT+ people, has no place in Manchester, or anywhere else. I am pleased that the application has now been withdrawn, and hope we never see another one from these Ministries again.
"Councils should be able to refuse planning applications like this, not only on technical grounds, but also where the applicants inflict cruelty and suffering on vulnerable people."
The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries were contacted repeatedly with multiple requests for a response to the allegations, but chose not to comment. A spokesperson for the Sheridan Suite said: "Planning permission was withdrawn by us, as soon as we were made aware of the alleged practices within the Church and following concerns raised by councillors and the wider community."
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