Plans to turn Connah’s Quay church into flats rejected by council

Plans to partly demolish a church in Connah’s Quay to make way for flats have been rejected.

Golftyn Presbyterian Church closed in September 2019 after serving as a place of worship for more than 200 years.

The decision was taken as the church said congregation numbers had decreased over the years.

Plans were submitted to Flintshire Council in October last year to knock down part of the building to convert the rest of it into six flats.
Applicants M.A.D.E Developments said the scheme would provide “much-needed”  low-cost accommodation.

However, officials have now refused permission because of concerns over the loss of historic features of the building.

In a report, planning officer Alison Dean said: “The building contains a lot of characterful features, and though the church and Sunday school is no longer in use as a community facility, the building retains important features from its former use which play an important role in distinguishing this part of Connah’s Quay from the surrounding area.
“The application proposes to remove the principal elevation completely along with a large section of the building behind in order to provide space to allow three vehicles to park at the front of the property and allow access for a further space on the eastern side of the building.
“I recognise that the church is not a listed building or situated in a conservation area and I take on board comments provided in support of the application regarding the condition of the building, however the existing character of the building and important heritage features play an important role in protecting the character and amenity of the locality.
“The historical elements are considered to hold significant weight in the determination of this application and are considered to be worthy of retention.
“The historic front facade in particular is worthy of retention and I do not consider the removal of this to make way for parking provision for four vehicles acceptable.”

The company said the proposals to demolish part of the front of the church were necessary to create room for parking spaces.

The development would have provided four one-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom flats.

But the council’s conservation officer said the plans would result in the loss of “virtually all” of the historical features from the outside of the building and permission was denied.

By Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter