Former Darlington church could be turned into flats as councillors to discuss plan

Plans to transform a former Darlington church into six flats will be discussed by councillors at a meeting on Wednesday.

Pierremont Methodist Church could be turned into six flats. <i>(Image: GOOGLE)</i>

(Image: GOOGLE)

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Plans to transform a former Darlington church into six flats will be discussed by councillors.

Long-empty Pierremont Methodist Church, on Vancouver Street, could be turned into three two-bedroom and three one-bedroom flats under proposals which have been recommended for approval by officers.

Darlington Borough Council’s Planning Applications Committee will consider the scheme on Wednesday, October 21.

The church is now vacant and stopped being used as a place of worship in 2011, when its congregation moved to the Well Methodist Church on North Road.

Although it is not listed or inside a conservation area, the council considers it to have some historic importance because of its links to Methodism in Darlington.

Permission had previously been granted to demolish the church and build eight homes on the site, but that scheme did not go ahead and the permission has since expired.

Officers say converting the existing building would instead preserve it and give it a long-term use.

One objection has been submitted over concerns about parking.

No parking spaces would be provided as part of the development, with the objector saying nearby streets are already busy because of Darlington Memorial Hospital, Orchard Court Surgery and Reid Street Primary School.

However, the council's highways engineer has not objected and believes additional cars could be accommodated on surrounding streets.

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Officers say the flats would create less parking demand than the building's existing permitted community use.

Councillors will make a decision when the committee meets at 1.30pm on Wednesday.

Officers have recommended approval, subject to conditions.