View From Blackpool

Publication: Blackpool Gazette

Date: July 4th 2019

Title: New chapter for Blackpool church set for demolition

Plans to demolish a derelict Blackpool church and replace it with new homes have been given the go ahead. The scheme will see the Waterloo Road Methodist Church on Waterloo Road in South Shore bulldozed to make way for a three storey block of 12 flats.

Blackpool Council's planning committee approved the outline application despite objections from nine residents who said the scheme was overbearing and would overlook their homes.

Ann Harbinson of Arnott Road told councillors despite the empty church attracting anti-social behaviour in recent times, she feared redeveloping the site would be worse. She said: ‘For 15 years I have had the church to look out on and for the last three years it has been a bit of a mess. We have had alcoholics and vandalism and we have called the police many times. But my privacy will go as that whole block of flats will be looking down on mine and my neighbours' houses.’

However planning officers said the distance between the proposed development and existing homes did meet the council's requirements.

A report to the committee said: ‘The church has been vacant for some time and is stated to be in some disrepair. There have been instances of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, including the stripping of lead and copper. There has been no interest in the site from other local community groups. On this basis, the loss of the existing facility is considered to be acceptable in principle.’

The report added the scheme would deliver ‘new residential accommodation of a good standard in a suitable and sustainable location’ helping to meet the town's housing needs.

The development will comprise of nine two-bedroom flats and three with one bedroom, along with parking for 13 cars and access from Arnott Avenue.

Publication: Blackpool Gazette

Date: May 30th 2024

Title: Decision due on future of empty Blackpool church

Plans to demolish a former church and replace it with new homes have been shelved for now - with the site set to continue to be used as a self-storage facility instead.

Waterloo Road Methodist Church has been closed to worshippers since congregations dwindled and community groups also stopped using the facility in South Shore.

Now council planners look set to approve the continued use of the building as storage space for three years in the hope it will eventually still come forward for future housing development.

The council's Planning Committee is being recommended to approve an application for the scheme at the site on at a main junction between Waterloo Road, Ansdell Road, Marton Drive, and Hawes Side Lane.

A report by town hall planning officers says: ‘The application was submitted with a statement explaining that the use of the church was dwindling significantly before being put on the market. There were two community groups using the premises and both relocated to alternative premises before the property was put on the market. Prior to the purchase of the property by the current owners, the property was left empty and unused, and the owners have not been approached by any local community groups wishing to use the premises. As such it is asserted that there is no longer a demonstrable need for the premises as a community facility.’

Planning permission was granted in 2019 for a three-storey block on the land providing 12 flats, but it has never been acted upon. Planners say the Covid pandemic has impacted the viability of some development projects such as this one and so it is acceptable for the church to continue being used for storage.

There would be no external changes to the existing building, however, four sectional garage units are proposed in the south eastern corner of the site and alterations would be made to the access.

It is hoped housing could eventually still be built but in the meantime, there needs to be a way of generating income to maintain the security of the current buildings. In the past, the former church has been the target of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, including the stripping of lead and copper.

Publication: Blackpool Gazette

Date: June 5th 2024

Title: A new use has been agreed for this Blackpool church under threat of demolition

A former Blackpool church has swapped spiritual guidance for storage space after it fell out of favour with worshippers.

Blackpool Council planners have agreed to allow Waterloo Road Methodist Church in South Shore to continue to operate as a self-storage facility after dwindling congregations forced its closure several years ago.

Previously the site at the junction between Waterloo Road, Ansdell Road, Marton Drive, and Hawes Side Lane had been designated for housing. But plans approved in 2019 for a three-storey block of 12 flats have never been delivered due to changing market conditions.

The council's Planning Committee approved an application for the church to be used as storage for a temporary period of three years but councillors said they hoped a housing scheme would eventually come forward.

Coun Fred Jackson said: ‘One of the things that worries me is how applications that have been passed never happen. Housing was part of the plans for this site and something we wanted. It concerns me that applications come before the council and then they don't do it. So I'm happy with the condition that this is for three years only and that is important.’