Methodist church offices at Agar Road, Illogan Highway, Redruth

What was proposed

The application proposed converting the disused church, Sunday School and Hall into offices, with refurbishment, internal alterations, parking changes and a new bike store.

“Planning permission is sought for the conversion of the disused Church, Sunday School, and Hall buildings, collectively known as Illogan Highway Methodist Church. The site occupies a central urban location and is accessed from Illogan Highway, a busy Class C route known as Agar Road, which runs through the urban area of Pool.”

“Information Classification: PUBLIC works are proposed across the buildings and a new bike store is proposed at the rear. Internally, the Methodist Church would retain key historic features, including the gallery, rostrum and organ, with adaptations to accommodate the proposed office use.”

Officer report

Parking and highway safety

The site had constrained front and rear access, but officers considered the sustainable location, fallback uses and proposed transport measures sufficient to avoid unacceptable highway impacts.

“The application site has a modest parking and turning area for three vehicles forward of the buildings within the site, accessed off of Agar Road, a Class C highway. The parking area is constrained due to its small size, together with the presence of a pedestrian crossing in close proximity to the west of the access and due to the location of a junction a short distance to the west on the opposite side of the highway.”

“Information Classification: PUBLIC 34. The Highways Officer has had regard to the potential for the parking demand to exceed the provision on site, advising that there are parking restrictions in place in surrounding roads, preventing indiscriminate parking and promoting sustainable transport choices on a route well served by bus routes and pedestrian/cycle facilities.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A Carn Brea Parish Council councillor spoke against the application, and the Electoral Division Member also set out objections to the committee.

What members debated

Members considered the proposal a good use that could protect the buildings, while discussing remaining front parking safety concerns and the relevance of previous lawful uses.

“There was an existing fallback position as the previous use of the buildings was Class F1, as it was a place of worship. This Class allowed for several uses for the building without any new planning permission, including educational use, display of art, museum, public library, public hall or a court of law; The church organ and pipes would be retained, but the rear workings of the organ would be removed; 3.”

“Members agreed that it would be a good use of the buildings; The only concerns were relating to the highway, and this had been clarified by the Officer; When this had been an active church, it would have had more than 18 to 30 people attending the congregations, and some would have driven to the location; The application aligned with the Cornwall Local Plan; Safety concerns remained regarding parking vehicles at the front of the buildings; 6.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee voted seven in favour, four against and none abstaining on the motion to approve the application.

“Arising from consideration of the report and debate it was moved by Councillor Ball, seconded by Councillor Gow, and on a vote of 7 votes in favour, 4 against and 0 abstentions, it was:-”

“RESOLVED that Application No. PA25/06803 be approved.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved, with the reasons for approval based on the report and the committee’s consideration.

“The reasons given by the Proposer for wishing to approve the application were as set out in the report and Committee.”

Minutes