Petition launched to save church from demolition

An online petition has been launched in a bid to save a Fylde coast church from demolition.

The move follows the submission of a planning application to Wyre Council for the demolition of the former Cleveleys United Reformed Church and the construction of a new food and convenience store.

Resident Ian French started the campaign because he didn’t want to see “the loss of an important community asset” and didn’t feel the area needed “yet another convenience store.”

The proposals comprise a full redevelopment of the site, on the corner of West Drive and Rossall Road, including demolition of the existing buildings and structures, along with new provisions for car parking, landscaping and associated works.

The applicant is listed as Andrew Garnett, of developer Breck Holdings Limited, but no mention is given at this stage of the retail company which would occupy the store.

A Planning Statement on behalf of the applicant said: “The proposed retail unit consists of a one-storey building with a sales area of 260 sqm, back of house area of 91 sqm, and enclosed yard and plant area.

“It is envisaged that as a local convenience store, the operating hours will be 6am to 11pm Monday to Sunday.

“The materials and appearance of the unit will be appropriate to the suburban context, with dark red brick and dark grey timber effect wall panels. The building will feature a mono-pitch roof with dark grey roof panels.

“A new vehicular access will be constructed from West Drive West serving the development.”

A Heritage Statement says the church was constructed in 1920 as a congregational church and later became Cleveleys United Reformed Church in 1972. The church fell out of active use and was deconsecrated in 2021.

The statement says: “The former church does not have any significant historic, architectural, artistic, or archaeological interest. Whilst the Council has suggested that the building may be regarded as a non-designated heritage asset, it should be considered as being of very limited heritage significance.”

However, Mr French disagrees with this assessment and argues that the church does have cultural significance to Cleveleys.

In his petition statement, he says: “The Heritage Statement submitted with the application claims the building has “no significant historic, architectural, artistic, or archaeological interest” and is of “very limited heritage significance”.

“This assessment, prepared on behalf of the developer, appears heavily biased and should be treated with caution.

“I would also question the need for yet another convenience store, in an area that is already well served with such infrastructure.

“I also believe that the loss of such an important community asset, and Cleveley’s cultural and heritage value, far outweighs any benefit that will come from another convenience store that resembles a cardboard box.

He adds: “The proposed development will also increase traffic pressure at the traffic lights and into the residential streets nearby. It may also incur parking problems if shoppers struggle to find a parking space, and results in shoppers parking outside resident’s houses.”

The petition can be found online under the name SAVE the Cleveleys United Reformed Church from DEMOLITION!

The link to the campaign is at https://www.change.org/p/save-the-cleveleys-united-reformed-church-from-demolition