A CHURCH ruined by rainwater after thieves stole lead could be brought back into use by a renewable energy firm.

St John the Evangelist Church in Burnley Road, Crawshawbooth, closed its doors to worshippers in 2011 after the leak caused £500,000 damage to the altar and pews.

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But Yorkshire company Sun Earth Renewables Ltd (SER) has lodged plans to turn the Grade II listed building into a solar-powered training centre for its staff.

The redundant church, which dates back to 1892, is owned by The Church of England Diocese of Manchester, but SER, based in Holmfirth, has expressed an interest in buying the site – a move backed locally. Derrick Bartlett-Smith, chairman of Limey Valley Residents’ Group, said: “It would be nice to see the building brought back into use.”

In his application, John Metcalfe, SER’s managing director, said the project could create up to 12 full-time jobs in the Valley.

An access and design statement says: “Sun and Earth Renewables Ltd are presently considering purchasing the church to use the building for training staff for design, installation and demonstration of renewable energy projects.

“The large covered spaces within the church make the building ideal for this use with very little alteration and intrusion of the historic fabric.”

The church’s floor, choir pews, screens, glazing, vestry, doors and font would be cleaned and retained, the document added, while the two altars would be handed back to the Diocese and the pulpit, which is badly affected by rot, would be removed.

Mr Metcalfe added: “It [SER] will achieve annual sales of £2m within three years and be a very profitable and important business employing circa 45 staff within that timescale.

“Staff employed will be installers, administration support and supervisory.

“We will offer to advise and install all renewable energy solutions, including, but not limited to, solar, biomass, heat pumps and wind turbines.”