Planning Applications - Hyndburn Borough Council

Site description and locality
The Baptist Church is a large grade II listed chapel located centrally on the north side of Cannon
Street opposite the former Conservative Club and adjacent to Cannon Street Council Offices. This
property, the Council’s own offices and the Conservative Club create an attractive historic core to
Cannon Street which is further enhanced by a number of protected trees on the church site. The
site and surrounding area are within the Accrington Town Centre Conservation Area.
Details of proposal
The applicant seeks permission to re-use the existing church for residential purposes. The
application details the installation of 16 units comprising 5 three-bedroom, 7 two-bedroom and 4
one-bedroom units. To accommodate the proposed units the developer seeks to subdivide the
existing church but also to insert a number of roof lights.
The church itself although structurally sound is currently in a dilapidated and fire damaged state
and, despite its listing, has endured a number of historic unsympathetic interventions. Principally
the transept has been divided from the nave and a concrete mezzanine first floor has been installed.
Planning history
An application was made earlier this year (11/07/0388) for the same proposal. However this was
withdrawn by the applicant to allow an opportunity to respond to comments made by the Victorian
Society and the Council’s Conservation Officer
Consultations
Site notices were placed and neighbours were consulted by letter however no objections were
received from members of the public.
The Victorian Society raised a number of concerns as follows:
• While the current proposals are an improvement on the earlier submission, the proposed use
is fundamentally harmful to the special character of the church and conversion would have a
severely negative impact on the listed building.
• That the intensity of the proposed use, which are as intensive as we have seen anywhere in
the country, would only be acceptable as a last resort.
• Very limited full height space is to be retained. This will not allow any part of the nave
arcades – key features of a basilican-plan building – to be read.
• The 20 roof lights will irreversibly alter the appearance of the building.
• There is near-complete loss of the interior and serious damage to the external appearance of
the building.
Lancashire County Council (Resources Directorate): requests financial contribution of £7,680
towards Waste Management infrastructure.
Lancashire County Council (Strategic): Would add to the oversupply of housing units but it could
be argued to facilitate regeneration. Renewable Energy requirements. Ecological survey
concerning bats.
Lancashire County Council (Archaeology): Condition recommended concerning a photographic
record of the building.
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