THE future of one of Poulton's oldest landmarks is on hold after plans to demolish it were withdrawn at the last minute.

Problems at the United Reformed Church, in Tithebarn Street, began last year when some plaster fell from the roof. A structural survey suggested there were some very costly underlying structural problems with repairs estimated at a quarter of a million pounds.

After much debate and concern for the church and its welfare, Simmons & Hind Contractors of Blackpool came forward with bold plans to demolish the church and build a U-shaped block of shops on the corner of Tithebarn Street, Queensway and Chester Avenue with a new church at the rear.

However, bosses have decided to withdraw the application. Eric Hind of Simmons & Hind said: "We will be resubmitting as soon as we have clarified one or two points set out in the committee report to ensure the application gets a full and fair consideration."

There has been a chapel on the site since 1808. None of the buildings on the site are listed buildings, but they fall within the Conservation Area - which is proving to be a major stumbling block for the redevelopment of the area.

Minister, the Rev Norman Vivian, who is in favour of the new development, explained the dilemma his congregation are now facing. "The buildings need in excess of £250,000 spending on them and we simply do not have the money and can't get funding from anywhere.

"We suggested English Heritage make it a listed building but they declined. We are currently operating from the hall and can't perform weddings or much from there. If the council doesn't go ahead with these new plans we will have no option but to close down the church as we can't get insurance cover. In the long term we would be forced to sell off the land." Objections to the proposals have come from three areas, the first being English Heritage, who view the church as an attractive buiding and a useful punctuation mark in the general townscape.

Poulton Historical and Civic Society is also opposed to demolition as chairman Alan Keanleyside said: "Costs of restoration may have been exaggerated. It would be feasible and desirable to preserve the building and put it to other uses if necessary.

"Approval could set an undesirable precedent. The church importantly defines the boundary of the Conservation Area."

Finally, the Ancient Monuments Society visited the site and stressed the historical and social importance of the buildings.

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