Plans to turn Bacup church into new business centre approved

Proposals to transform the former Christ Church in Bacup were submitted to Rossendale Council in October, by Simon Dalley of Bacup Christ Church Business Centre Ltd.

The planning application sought full planning permission to convert the existing church premises - which is on the national List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest at Grade ll - into a business office hub with a number of small office spaces, meeting rooms and communal meeting areas.

A design and access statement submitted with the plans stated: “The plans will aim to provide new office space for a number of businesses including Grow Traffic which is one of the most well-known businesses in the local area to relocate into, as well as providing an opportunity for a number of small digital and creative businesses that require individual office facilities.

What the church would look like (Image: Council)

“Some of the directors of Bacup Christ Church Business Centre Ltd are the chair of Bacup 2040, the chair of Bacup Business Association and directors of Grow Traffic, all of which are heavily involved in the growth and development of the local Bacup Area and community.

“There is a growing need for a base for local digital businesses, creative freelance individuals and media start-up companies to rent office space and to provide an attractive place to work within the town.

"This is to encourage local businesses to thrive in the Bacup.”

Last year, an open consultation meeting was held at the ABD Community Centre in Bacup, with main concerns arising over increased levels of parking.

The application sought to overcome these concerns and a total of 24 car parking spaces and additional car parking along the street were suggested which would not impact on residential parking.

In converting the building, architects will aim to maintain and preserve the important features of the church, keeping the stone font and pulpit and showcasing elements in the new open plan Nave area.

A number of individual office pods will be created that fit between the original columns so the sense of rhythm and architectural detailing can still be appreciated from within the nave.

Christ Church in Bacup (Image: Council)

The design and access statement went on: “We are proposing to open up the western entrance as the main building entrance with a new reception area as you come through the doors.

“There will be new unisex toilets and a DDA shower room and WC provided to the top left corner to utilise the existing drainage provisions.

“A new communal kitchen is located in the same position as the existing kitchen to minimise disruption to services.

“We are proposing a new staircase to provide a fully compliant access to the existing mezzanine area.

“The existing access point via drop down ladders is not a viable way to utilise that space and the area on that floor has incredible views over the Nave so we need to bring that into the design.”

What the church would look like (Image: Council)

The church bells, which are deteriorating and pose a risk if not maintained or put back into use, will be removed and taken to another parish church and reinstated.

The Garden of Remembrance will be safeguarded and the scheme proposes to fully restore the building façade to its original appearance and state.

The church building will be open from 8am until 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am until 5pm on weekends and bank holidays.

The plans were welcomed by the diocese and no objections were made.

 A statement from the planning officer reads: “This scheme provides a sensitively designed new use for the building that helps sustain its significance, which is largely evidenced in its external form.

“It is considered that the public benefits in creating a viable use for the listed building, that retains the significance of the building, outweigh the limited harm to the internal character of the church.

“It is considered that the proposal meets the statutory test ‘to preserve’ and whilst it would cause some harm (less than substantial harm) to the internal character, this is outweighed by securing an optimum viable use of the site that retains the external significance of the building.”

What Christ Church in Bacup would look like (Image: Council)

Christ Church was the second parish church built in Bacup, being built while the first Neo-classical church of St John, built in 1788, was still standing.

In 1958 there was a major fire in the church, which caused severe damage to the chancel, organ chamber and vestries.

The original organ and chancel furniture was destroyed and replaced in a more contemporary style.

There was then a major restoration programme in the 1980s, which involved removing and repairing any remaining fire damage, curing dry rot and installing a gas heating system.

The restoration of the 1980s also stripped the existing plaster of the internal walls to leave the exposed stonework with the intention of creating a mediaeval look.

The existing Christ Church building has been closed since 2012.