Listed church conversion at Worthington Methodist Church Main Street, Worthington

“Internal and external alterations to facilitate the use of the building as a dwelling (Listed Building Consent)”

“MAIN REPORT 1. Proposals and Background This application seeks listed building consent for internal and external alterations to facilitate the use of the building as a dwelling. Worthington Methodist Church is a Grade II listed building. It should be noted that works to the building including the removal of timber cladding internally have taken place prior to obtaining the necessary listed building consent.”

“Further information submitted in respect of the application can be found on the District Council’s website. Relevant Planning History In March 2023 planning permission was sought for the use of the listed building as a dwelling (23/00413/FUL). The application was accompanied by an associated listed building consent application (23/00414/LBC). Both applications were withdrawn in September 2023. This application is a resubmission of the listed building consent application.”

“Notwithstanding the submitted details or condition 1 above, prior to any further works taking place full details of restoration and/or repair details, including details of materials and methods, for the following works shall first be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority:”

“(a) the finish to be applied to the external faces of the partition walls and how this would reflect the finishes in the principal internal space; (b) amended proposed ground floor plan showing an alterative bathroom wall layout to ensure that the partition wall closest to the entrance forms a straight line; (c) the balustrade serving the bed deck area; (d) the cavity drainage system; (e) full details of an alternative structural support method for the first floor bed deck…”

“(k) Removal of internal timber cladding; Prior to the commencement of works to the Listed Building, a dado rail was mounted to the internal walls with wide ‘bead and butt’ cladding installed above the dado rail. Modern ‘beauty board’ cladding was also installed below the dado rail. This timber cladding has been removed from the walls of the building prior to obtaining listed building consent.”

“Conclusion The works taken place relating to the removal of timber cladding internally has resulted in heritage harm to the listed building which has not been supported by clear and convincing justification as required by Paragraph 213 of the NPPF. Furthermore, the removal of the cladding fails to retain features which form part of the significance of the heritage asset as required by Policy He1(b) of the Local Plan (2021).”

“Objections from: Worthington Parish Council Comments made by: NWLDC Conservation Officers. Third Party Representations Three letters of objection have been received with the comments raised summarised as follows: Grounds of Objections…”

“One of the three letters of objection also offers support for the proposed conversion in principle.”

“A discussion was had during which members expressed support for the application which, if approved, could restore an unused listed building.”

“Members were surprised that there had been no application to resolve the building’s external issues and questioned whether alterations could be made to the exterior of the building due to its condition.”

“The application be permitted in accordance with the officer’s recommendations.”

“Recorded Vote (Motion) Councillor Dave Bigby For Councillor Morgan Burke For Councillor Rachel Canny For Councillor David Everitt For Councillor John Legrys For Councillor Peter Moult For Councillor Carol Sewell For Councillor Jenny Simmons For Councillor Nigel Smith For Councillor Michael Wyatt For Councillor Richard Blunt For Carried…”