Radical revamp of church given the go-ahead
UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR AMBITIOUS METHODIST PLAN
COUNCILLORS have unanimously approved a plan for a major new development at a historic Methodist Church in Derbyshire.
Derbyshire Dales District Council met on Tuesday last week to consider the ambitious Link Project in Ashbourne, which has been five years in the making and would transform the uses of the Church Road church and its surrounding buildings.
The scheme involves constructing a new building between three existing structures, including the 19th-century church, to meet the modern needs of its congregation.
As part of the project, the team behind the development also wanted to build a new block of apartments in the church’s courtyard, and to convert an existing two-storey house into two flats - to help finance the whole scheme.
During the virtual meeting, concerns that had been expressed by Historic England were discussed, which largely centred around the juxtaposition between a modern link building and the historic building that would surround it.
But councillors did not share these concerns.
Proposing the recommendation to approve the plans, Ashbourne councillor Robert Archer said: “My view on it is it’s a really complex site, but I think the developers have done an absolutely fantastic job and I actually think, although there are concerns from Historic England about the impact on the original building, I do actually think that this will end up as a lovely blend between an historic building and a modern extension.
“I think the glazing will actually enhance it, I think it’ll be a lovely space to be inside. I’ve been in this building many times, for various events, and it would be a tragedy if it were to fall into misuse.
“The people who are developing it are the people who have used this building for generations. They understand its history, they understand what it’s all about, they want to preserve it for the town, and I completely support them with that.
“I think it’s just the sort of thing Ashbourne needs.”
Councillor Archer’s praise for the quality of the development and the work put into the planning was echoed by other Ashbourne ward members, including Tom Donnelly and Stuart Lees.
The team, led by former Toyota Manufacturing UK managing director and current Derbyshire High Sherrif Tony Walker, who lives in Bradley, first commissioned an architect in 2015 and have since spent £120,000 on planning the scheme and ensuring every detail was covered before plans were formally submitted.
He said after the plans were passed, that the support shown by all district councillors on the planning committee had been welcomed by the team.
“We are very pleased to have gained planning permission and were very encouraged by the many supportive comments made by local councillors.
“It was especially good that the councillors recognised the significant community benefits that will come from our planned development.
“We have a church council meeting in April when we will agree the next steps for the development and fundraising.
“We’ll keep people updated on progress as we work towards developing our buildings for the benefit of everyone.”