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Search the Public Notice Portal A CHURCH building in a York village could be transformed into a wedding and prom boutique.
City of York Council has received a planning application from Vavavoom Bridal Boutique Ltd to change the use of Dunnington Methodist Church in Common Road, Dunnington.
The building is around 300 metres from the main shopping area in York Street.
According to the plans, worship ended at the church in May 2020 and it was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to planning documents submitted with the application the building was marketed by a commercial estate agent in May.
In documents submitted with the plans, it was said that "the existing internal layout is suitable for the proposed retail use, with the addition of display areas, fitting rooms and customer service space within the building.
"Any internal alterations are minor and will not affect the external appearance.
"The business will operate on an appointment-only basis."
In documents issued with the application, it was said that plans do not involve any significant external alterations to the 245 square metre building apart from the addition of hand painted external signage above the door and a PVC sign to replace an existing board to one side of it.
The planning documents said the church congregation "is understood to have merged with St Nicholas Church in Dunnington approximately 320 metres away" and "consequently, opportunities for worship and community activities remain available within the village at an easily accessible location.
"The proposal therefore does not remove community worship from Dunnington but relates only to a building that has become surplus to that purpose."
Documents issued with the plans said: "The prolonged vacancy, together with the relocation of the congregation, demonstrates that the former use has ceased to meet an ongoing community requirement at this location.
"Continued vacancy would provide no community benefit and would instead increase the risk of deterioration, underinvestment and further vacancy.
"By contrast, the proposed change of use will secure the building's long-term occupation, maintenance and preservation through an economically sustainable use."
Wider benefits associated with the opening of the wedding and prom boutique in the village would generate indirect benefits such as visitors for appointments spending additional time within the local area, with the applicant - already operating in the bridal and prom industry -regularly receiving requests from customers for recommendations for cafés, restaurants and public houses before and after appointments, the plans said.
City of York Council said consultation on the plans end on Tuesday, August 25.