WARRINGTON Borough Council has refused plans to demolish a historic church hall.

An application for planning permission had sought to bulldoze the Memorial Hall at Wycliffe United Reformed Church in Bewsey, which dates back to 1901 but is currently unused.

But the proposals were thrown out by the council on Tuesday, December 7.

WBC’s refusal notice stated: “The proposed development will result in significant harm to the historic environment which is not outweighed by public benefit and as such is unacceptable.

“The proposal would not improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area nor does it comply with the development plan and therefore does not comprise sustainable development.

“There were no amendments to the scheme, or conditions which could reasonably have been imposed, which could have made the development acceptable and it was therefore not possible to approve the application.”

Documents submitted by the applicant stated that the Edgworth Street building is now ‘in a dilapidated state and has fallen out of use’.

The area would have been paved over in order to provide extra car parking for the church if plans were passed.

In September, the council also refused planning permission for repairs to the structure as they would be ‘harmful to its appearance’.

A church spokesman told the Warrington Guardian when the application for demolition was first lodged last year: “The church has previously applied for planning permission to replace the roof, but planning permission was refused on the grounds that the proposals were not like for like.

“The problem is that the conservation officer’s wishes cannot be met because the cost of a like for like replacement would be exorbitant and in any event the original roof design has been found to be at fault for many of the hall’s problems.

“The intention is to install a new roof on the church hall which is sympathetic with the chapel, hall and the conservation area, but which is also affordable.

“It is only if permission is not obtained for this amended roof design that the trust will have to fall on alternative proposals to demolish the hall as it will represent a hazard to the public and it will not be feasible for the trust and the church to keep it safe and in good repair.”