An old church has stood unused for several years because of difficulties finding an alternative use compatible with its graveyard, a councillor has suggested.

St James Church, in New Bury, Farnworth closed as a place of worship in 2011 and has been up for sale for much of the time since.

Possible uses mooted for the church include a community centre and a youth hub.

But ward councillor Jean Gillies said people had not taken into account that any building would be on consecrated ground—and that some uses would clearly be inappropriate.

Cllr Gillies said: “There are lots of things it could be used for but it’s very difficult when you have a graveyard there— you have to have respect for them.

“It’s all right saying to make it into a youth centre, but you have a graveyard there as well, so it isn’t an appropriate use of the building.

She continued: “I suppose the diocese might be open to suggestions. But someone would have to take on the task of running it and paying for it and the upkeep of it.”

Cllr Gillies also said it would be inappropriate to convert the church into flats or create apartments at the site.

She added“If you think about it if you made flats there are graves there. They are not going move the graves – essentially you are going to be living in a graveyard .

“And if it was a youth centre or a community centre there are graves and we still have people visiting the graves there, I think you would have uproar to be honest.”

She added: “I have got relatives buried there, how would I feel if they built on it”

The Church of England, which owns the building, has confirmed there has been ‘little interest’ expressed in developing the building for an alternative use since it last closed in 2011.

However there has been a recent expression of interest in purchasing the former church. But discussions are at a very early stage and the Diocese of Manchester is unable to release any details at the moment.

The new agents for the diocese, WT Gunson, are currently doing an assessment of its market value. Details could appear online as early as next week.