Three residential apartments at Weaverham Methodist Church, Weaverham, Northwich

What was proposed

The application proposed restoring and converting the former church into three apartments, with parking and landscaping.

“Description of development: Conversion and restoration of the former church into 3no. self contained residential apartments with on-site carparking spaces for 8 no. cars fronting onto Forest Street and associated landscaping works.”

“The proposal seeks full planning permission (and listed building consent under a separate application) for the conversion and restoration of the former church into 3 dwellings in the form residential apartments with on-site car parking provision. The scheme has been amended as part of the application process to reduce the number of units from 4 to 3 residential units consisting of one 3/4 bedroom unit at ground floor, and two 2 bedroomed units at first floor.”

Officer report

The site

The Grade II listed church is in Weaverham’s conservation area, on a one-way street surrounded by homes and near local services.

“The site is located within the village of Weaverham on the western side of Forest Street. The site itself consists of the Grade II listed Weaverham Methodist Church, with the adjacent School house which has been converted to a day nursery school with associated parking. The site is located within the Conservation Area of Weaverham, surrounded by residential dwellings.”

“The site fronts onto Forest Street, which is a one-way street. There is existing pedestrian access into the site. The site is sustainably located, close to existing services and facilities within Weaverham.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier proposals included a refused apartment scheme, approved listed-building consent, a withdrawn four-apartment scheme and an approved single dwelling.

“10/00252/FUL- The conversion and restoration of the existing Grade II listed Methodist Church into 4no 3 storey maisonettes and the conversion and restoration of the adjacent School House into 5no domestic apartments. (resubmission 09/01227/FUL). Application refused.”

“20/03863/FUL- Conversion and restoration into single residential dwelling with onsite car parking - amendment to application 20/01745/FUL. Approved.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the site was sustainable, the building could be reused, and public benefits outweighed limited heritage harm.

“The proposed external works outside of the building result in the creation of a parking area to the frontage. This is the only area for parking, and therefore justified in that regard. It is accepted that the works will have an impact on the setting of the building, however this harm has been considered to be a low degree of ‘less of than substantial harm’ to the significance of a heritage asset.”

“In accordance with paragraph 215 of the Framework given that the proposal would lead to a low degree of less than substantial harm to the significant of the church the benefits of delivery need to be considered. The proposal will deliver public benefits through the delivery of housing in a position of undersupply and will secure the optimum viable use of the building.”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

Parish and trust objections focused on traffic, parking, heritage and conservation concerns, while council officers raised no objections subject to conditions.

“Weaverham Parish Council: Objection on the basis of inaccurate assumptions within the Highway technical note, failing to address all matters relating to highway operations and parking provision. Concerns regarding a lack of detail in respect of bin storage and access.”

“Weaverham Trust- Object, traffic and parking concerns, proposed development is not sympathetic to the conservation area, 4 residential apartments and 8 car parking spaces in the conservation area to be overdevelopment. (note scheme has been reduced to 3 units.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s speaker and Councillor Gillian Edwards, the ward member, spoke on the application.

What members discussed

Members asked whether seven spaces were appropriate for three apartments and whether residents could be encouraged to reverse onto driveways.

“Would officers be able to comment on the parking space provision being suitable seven parking spaces for three apartments is generous could planner comment • In relation to road access concerns, could an informative be placed to suggest residents reverse onto their driveways so that they can exit in forward gear, in the interest of highway safety.”

“Officers responded as follows • Generally this requirement could be lowered in areas where there were suitable sustainable alternative transport options such as public transport connection or cycleways etc. However, the applicant had provided 7 spaces to ensure compliance with the Council’s current Parking SPD. • Reversing onto driveways could be added as an informative however it was acknowledged that would not be something the Council could enforce.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Members unanimously approved the application subject to the conditions in the officer report.

“A proposal to approve the application, subject to conditions in the report was passed unanimously.”

Minutes