'We're destroying our culture and I'm furious' - Blackpool campaigner fighting heritage church demolition

A campaigner who is trying to save a former church building on the Fylde coast says it is a vital heritage asset and demolishing it would be “a tragedy”.

Mark Butcher set up a petition with pal Ian French to try and stop Cleveleys United Reformed Church from being bulldozed after a planning application was lodged with Wyre Council back in February

The application, yet to be decided on, is for the demolition of the church building on Rossall Road, which is no longer in use, and the construction of a new food and convenience store.

The applicant is listed as Andrew Garnett, of developer Breck Holdings Limited, but no mention has been given at this stage of the retail company which would occupy the store. It is believed Breck Holdings owns the property.

Mr Butcher is well known on the Fylde coast for his previous work with the homeless via the charity Amazing Graze and his role as chairman for Blackpool & Fleetwood Reform UK branches.

He has voiced fears that work to demolish the church already appears to have started, despite the fact the planning permission has not been given for the proposals.

He said: “To close a church down is a sad enough thing, because these buildings have played a vital part in our communities, they have offered people hope. To actually demolish a church would be a tragedy.

“This particular church has been recognised by the Twentieth Century Society as a building of note. It has Non Designated Asset Status.

“It is part of our culture and local people know that – there have been over 90 submissions to Wyre Council and 700 people have signed our petition.”

He added: “The church was in good condition until the developers were in there recently. It seems like the developer may be starting the process early during a live planning application.

“When they crowbar out the interior, it will remove the church’s heritage identity which would undermine its NDHA status, which is worrying.

“Church buildings can be used for all sorts of things – I don’t mind that. But knocking a church down is different.”

Breck Holdings has been approached for a comment.

Originally a Congregational church hall built circa 1921, the current sanctuary dates back to 1932 and became the Cleveleys United Reformed Church in 1972.

A Planning Statement on behalf of the applicant said: “The proposed retail unit consists of a one-storey building with a sales area of 260 sqm, back of house area of 91 sqmsqm, and enclosed yard and plant area.

“It is envisaged that as a local convenience store, the operating hours will be 6am to 11pm Monday to Sunday.

“The materials and appearance of the unit will be appropriate to the suburban context, with dark red brick and dark grey timber effect wall panels. The building will feature a mono-pitch roof with dark grey roof panels.”

The petition can be found at: https://www.change.org/.../save-the-cleveleys-united....