Replacement church hall at St Helens Church Hall, Pinxton, Nottingham

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing the existing church hall and building a single-storey replacement hall with community, kitchen, office and toilet facilities.

“PROPOSAL The application is seeking planning permission for the demolition and erection of a replacement church hall. The proposed development measures 24.3m in length and 10m in width containing a Main Hall area, kitchen, store, male, female, and accessible WC’s, a plant room and office space. Access to the building is provided through the main entrance lobby area sited on the principal elevation or via an access ramp to the side.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site lies within Pinxton’s development envelope in a mainly residential area and contains a detached brick building, hardstanding, grass, shrubs and fencing.

“The application site comprises a section of land within the development envelope of Pinxton situated in a predominantly residential area. The site is currently occupied by a detached brick finished building with a tiled pitched roof and is bound by timber fencing on all boundaries. The building is fronted by a section of hardstanding while the rear of the site contains sections of overgrown grass, shrubbery, and hardstanding.”

“Church Street East is made up of a number of residential properties which vary significantly in scale, design and material finish.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

A previous application was granted conditionally for construction of a car park at the rear.

“BOL/1987/0170 Granted Conditionally Construction of car park at rear (BOL 487/170) CONSULTATIONS Statutory consultees were invited to consider the application on the 8 th and 15 th of August requiring comments to be provided by the 29 th of August and 5 th of September respectively.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal sustainable, well designed, acceptable for neighbours and highways, and compliant with relevant planning policies subject to conditions.

“As a result of the varied appearance of the streetscene, it is considered that the introduction of the contemporary building will not result in undue visual harm. The design and materials proposed are suitable for the setting and reflect the nature of the previous building.”

“Environmental Health (EH) raised no objections to the application but recommend a series of conditions ensuring relevant site investigations are conducted to identify and if necessary, remediate any unacceptable levels of contamination prior to the building being occupied. The conditions are appropriate in order to ensure the site is suitable for its intended use. Therefore, subject to conditions, the proposal is compliant with policy SC14.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways and urban design officers raised no objections, wildlife advisers supported the biodiversity measures, and pollution officers recommended dust, contamination and construction-hour conditions.

“Derbyshire Wildlife Trust • 04/09/2025: - Protected species: existing building is assessed as having ‘low’ suitability for use by bats, a nocturnal survey did not identify bats, and no further surveys are considered necessary. - Biodiversity net gain: proposals are anticipated to result in a +61.04% gain from the creation of modified grassland and tree planting and +215.82% gain in hedgerow units by native hedgerow creation.”

“Pollution • 18/08/2025: No objections in principle but recommends conditions requiring the submission of a programme of measures to minimise the spread of airborne dust, a site investigation to assess potential contamination and remediation if necessary and limiting construction works between 07:30am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 07:30am – 1pm on Saturdays.”

Officer report

Public comments

One representation objected to the lack of on-site parking and raised possible traffic and highway safety concerns.

“PUBLICITY The application has been advertised by way of a site notice and neighbour notification letters. The site notice was posted on 12/08/2025 and required comments by 02/09/2025. Neighbour notification letters were posted on 08/08/2025. Comments required by 29/08/2025.”

“One representation has been received, which raises concerns given no parking provision is proposed at the site and the potential traffic and safety implications this may have on the highway.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillor Mary Dooley spoke in favour and described the future community and externally hired uses as a valuable asset for Pinxton.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed highway parking, nearby parking, project funding, the benefits of a new building, landscaping, design and disabled parking bays.

“The Chair noted parking would take place on the highway but that residents supported this decision. Councillor Mary Dooley informed parking was also available nearby on Victoria Road, Pinxton.”

“Members praised the work and design of the proposal. The exclusion of any parking onsite was due to the provision of a tree to improve the visual aspect of the proposal / area and provide a welcoming aspect to the site.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The application was approved with five members voting in favour and none against.

“Moved by Councillor Tom Munro and seconded by Councillor Phil Smith RESOLVED that application no. 25/00239/FUL be APPROVED with final, precise wording of conditions relating to biodiversity (current Conditions 7, 8, and 9) delegated to the Development Management and Land Charges Manager or Principal Planners:”

Minutes

The decision

The committee approved the application with conditions, including requirements covering plans, landscaping, biodiversity, contamination, dust and construction hours.

“Prior to the commencement of any construction works, including any demolition in connection with the development hereby approved, a programme of measures to minimise the spread of airborne dust from the site including construction and demolition periods must be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The construction must be undertaken in accordance with the approved scheme.”

Minutes