Plan to demolish and replace long-standing Mansfield church and add apartments
A major plan has been unveiled to demolish a long-standing church in Mansfield and build a replacement, complete with apartments for vulnerable people.
Chesterfield Road South Methodist Church, which stands between the junctions with Barlow Road and Marlborough Road, dates back to 1904 and is said to be “firmly embedded within an established residential neighbourhood”.
However, the building is now “in a poor state of repair”, with “extensive deterioration” that includes a leaking roof causing “visible water damage”, a failing heating system and an outdated layout.
So The Methodist Church Council has hatched a plan to knock it down and construct on the same site a “modern, purpose-built, accessible, sustainable and energy-efficient replacement” with community centre.
It would be smaller, spanning 280 square metres, but more efficient, and sitting alongside it would be 13 flats for people who need specialist supported living.
This would comprise adapted accommodation for locals with learning disabilities, autism or significant mental health needs, who require homes tailored to support their safety, independence and wellbeing.
The apartments, with shared and managed gardens, would remain under the ownership of the Methodist Church but would be leased for a minimum of 15 years to a care provider approved by Nottinghamshire County Council.
The council has confirmed that it has “an imminent need for this type of supported accommodation”. Meanwhile, the long-term lease would “create a stable and reliable revenue stream” for the Sherwood Forest Methodist Circuit, of which the church is a member.
A full planning application has been submitted to Mansfield District Council by Andrew Shewen, of The Methodist Church Council, supported by a detailed planning statement drawn up by Edward Stammers, 40-year-old boss of the Kirkby-based company, Design Architecture Ltd.
The statement says: “The existing church is showing clear and progressive signs of deterioration, especially the roof structure and covering.
"The heating system is obsolete and highly inefficient, and members of the congregation have expressed concerns about the inflexibility of the internal layout.
"It no longer aligns with the needs of a growing and diverse congregation, nor does it support the range of community activities the church aspires to provide.
“The buildings have been altered significantly over the decades and do not possess architectural or heritage value that would support their preservation.
"The phased alterations have resulted in a fragmented building of mixed architectural quality and ageing components, many of which are now beyond repair.
"The proposed development would provide modern, sustainable facilities that better serve the needs of both the Methodist congregation and the wider community. It would also strengthen the identity of the Methodist Church within Mansfield.”
As well as a place of worship, the church currently provides “several vital services”, including a food bank in partnership with the district council and counselling for the vulnerable. It is also a community meeting space for local groups, youth activities and social programmes.
The statement says the Methodist Church is “committed to expanding its role as a key community hub”, but it would be “financially unviable” to expect that in the current building, which was not a heritage asset and took on “an increasingly tired and worn appearance”.
"The proposed scheme not only replaces the outdated facility but also enhances the long-term viability of all these services,” it adds.
The new church would serve as “a flexible, multi-functional space”, offering “a bright, welcoming and highly adaptable environment” that would enable it to host “a variety of services, events and community-based activities”.
"Its design would allow for future growth in congregation numbers and increased use by local groups,” the statement goes on.
The council’s planning officers are currently considering the scheme and have set a deadline date of Wednesday, April 22 for a decision or recommendation.
THE details of many planning applications can be found in public notices advertised by local and regional newspapers. To catch up on all the latest public notices, go to https://publicnoticeportal.uk/