AN ‘unviable’ church in a North Yorkshire village will be converted into flats after plans were approved despite local objections.
A late-Victorian Methodist chapel in the semi-rural village of Snainton near Scarborough will be converted into a residential property following the approval of the scheme by North Yorkshire Council.
Built in 1895, the church will be turned into a three-bed house with an internal mezzanine with two of the bedrooms and a bathroom.
Planning officers noted that the conversion would result in the loss of a community facility which has been vacant since April last year.
However, evidence submitted by the Methodist Circuit indicated that the church is “no longer viable in its current use”, with a congregation of only eight members, average worship attendance of approximately four to five people, and expenditure “significantly exceeding income”.
Interior Of Methodist Church, Station Road, Snainton, Scarborough. Courtesy Of Applicant.
The Methodist Church had commenced the formal process to cease worship at the premises on the basis that the congregation was no longer capable of sustaining the building financially or operationally, according to a report.
As such, planners concluded that the conversion would not result in an unacceptable reduction in the provision of community or worship facilities available to local residents.
Methodist Church, Station Road, Snainton, Scarborough. Courtesy Of Applicant.
One objection was submitted by a neighbouring resident who raised concerns about “proposed rooflights and potential changes to windows overlooking neighbouring properties and gardens”.
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They added that “demolition of part of the extension and alterations to boundary treatments will expose views into [my] garden and reduce privacy”.
However, planners said that the development “would not cause significant harm to the residential amenity of both neighbouring residents and occupants of the site”.
The existing entrance door will be blocked off, but the external façade will remain, and the existing side door will be used as the main entrance.
“The building is of simple non-conformist design, characterised by its symmetrical elevations, large round-headed windows, and modest architectural detailing typical of rural Wesleyan chapels in North Yorkshire,” a report notes.
It added: “The building is single-storey in nature with high ceilings and a stone wall boundary running along Station Road and West Lane.”
Two parking spaces will also be created on the north side of the site.
The local planning authority approved the application, subject to conditions.