Former Cumbrian church set to become day centre following council approval
Cumberland Council backs change of use for St Andrew’s Church
Plans to turn a former west Cumbrian church into a day centre have been approved, subject to conditions, by Cumberland Council.
The application was for a site at St Andrews Church, Solway Street, Silloth, and, according to the officer’s report, it comprises a church and adjoining hall, situated on the corners of Solway Street and Waver Street.
It states: “The proposal involves the change of use of the church to a day centre. The proposed use would be accommodated within the existing accommodation, with no external alterations proposed. The applicant indicates that the hours of use would be Monday to Saturday between 10am and 5pm.”
According to the report the proposed development would result in the loss of the existing church and village hall facilities at the site, to be replaced with a day centre.
It adds: “Silloth is identified as a key service centre within the settlement hierarchy, and as such, can accommodate wide range of services and functions as service centres for the wider rural hinterland.
“As the application site is within the identified boundary of Silloth, it is considered a suitable location for development, subject to compliance with other relevant planning policies and taking account of particular site constraints.”
The report states that, given that the site would continue to provide a neighbourhood community facility, alternative places of worship are available within the locality, the proposed use is accepted as an alternative use for the site. It adds: “The application site is situated alongside the boundary of Silloth’s Conservation Area and within the setting of Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site.”
According to the report the proposals do not harm the positive qualities of the
conservation area and would enhance or better reveal the world heritage site and its buffer zone will be supported.
It states: “The council’s archaeologist notes that the buildings proposed for conversion are a former Presbyterian church dating to the later-19th Century and an attached hall that was built in the 1940’s.
“With both buildings considered to be of local architectural and historical interest. It is noted that the proposed change of use will involve only very minimal alterations to their historic fabric, character and appearance.
“In light of this, the archaeologist raises no objections to the application. As the proposal does not involve external alteration to the fabric of the building, it is considered that the features and setting of the conservation area and the world heritage site will be preserved within the development.”
The report concludes: “The proposed development is an appropriate for the site and locality. The development would preserve the amenities of the locality.
“The proposal is therefore considered an acceptable form of development which complies with the policies of the adopted local plan.”