Disused church to be converted into homes

0 Comments | Lincolnshire Echo, Apr 22, 2010 | by Charlotte Orson

A DISUSED city church falling into disrepair will be converted into houses and flats.

West Parade Methodist Church’s last service was held almost five years ago and its building has been largely untouched since.

Now, as windows are beginning to be smashed in the church’s adjoining hall on the corner of Hampton Street and West Parade, the building finally has a buyer.

Lorraine Staines, property sales manager at Walter’s in Lincoln, confirmed a residential developer has had a bid of Pounds 275,000 accepted for the property owned by the Methodist Church.

Ms Staines said: “The sale hasn’t gone through yet so we cannot give too much away.

“They will be looking to develop it into residential accommodation.”

The site of the grade-two listed church and its adjoining hall was granted planning permission last year to convert the church into two houses and part demolish the attached hall to build six apartments in a three-storey building. The plans include six car parking spaces and the council received just two objections to the church trustees’ planning application.

A clause in the permission granted by the City of Lincoln Council requested by the West End Residents’ Association, says the site cannot be turned into student accommodation.

The site was marketed last year by Pygott and Crone in Lincoln, but after a preliminary sale fell through, it was presented to Walter’s to sell.

Walter’s director Edward Walter said: “The sale is still subject to contract, but it will be a fantastic improvement to the area.”

The 103-year-old church’s congregation dwindled to just a handful of parishioners by 2005, with remaining church-goers having to travel uphill to Bailgate Methodist Church or Burton Road Methodist Church.

George Woolfenden, committee member on the West End Residents’ Association, said: “As long as the building stays in keeping with its environment, it’s okay with me.

“The church is looking very sad and needs something doing to it.

“It’s in-filling as opposed to building more properties, as it’s changing the use of a building that’s already there into housing.”

Resident Gavin Street, of nearby York Street, said: “The architecture of the chapel is nice, but the rest of the site is a bit rough and ready.

“We saw the ‘for sale’ sign and my wife has had a baby so we were hoping it was going to be used for community purposes, but that’s just our particular need.”