Plans revealed to demolish disused Carnforth church
Plans have been unveiled to demolish a church in Carnforth and build three new terraced houses.
The plans involve the Pentecostal Church on Hunter Street in Carnforth.
Future Rural Developments have applied for permission to demolish the existing church building and build three new terraced houses on the corner of Hunter Street and Ramsden Street.
Planning documents say the site is presently occupied by the single-storey former Free Methodist Church and its grounds, now disused following relocation.
The council issued some pre-application advice to the developers saying: “The site sits within a conservation area, faces high groundwater flood risk, and is constrained by heritage, ecology, and
drainage considerations. Residential use is acceptable in principle, but the current three‑unit proposal has issues including inadequate gardens, uncertain parking/turning space, and an over‑large building footprint.
"Updated evidence is required on the marketing of the former community use, alongside new assessments for ecology, flood risk, drainage, noise, and climate‑policy compliance.
"A reduced scheme would be better suited.”
The design and access statement said: “The application site is located on the corner of Hunter Street and Ramsden Street, Carnforth.
“The existing Methodist Church is the only single storey building on the street and the only detached property.
“The proposed development includes three three bedroom dwellings arranged over three stories through the use of rear dormers.
“The proposed new homes will have open plan living spaces with large windows to provide good natural light and ventilation.
“All three dwellings will have access to a private paved and garden area to sit out, where they can also grow fruit and vegetables.”
Planning documents also said that the application site is located near Carnforth services and facilities, to the railway station and to a number of cycle routes.
The documents said: “This encourages walking or cycling rather than driving, which improves congestion. A residents car park will decrease the parking congestion on Hunter Street, allowing for a free flow of traffic around the corner of the street.
“The proposed development will provide comfortable, affordable to run and easy to maintain new homes, in a town centre location which benefits from existing utilities and infrastructure.”
Councillors have yet to make a decision on the application.
View the planning application reference 26/00175/FUL at https://www.lancaster.gov.uk/planning/view-applications-and-decisions