Church to be demolished to make way for 27 new flats

A CHURCH in Barry will be demolished to make way for flats.

St Paul’s Church and hall in St Paul’s Avenue will be knocked down for a development of 27 flats – which would be served by 18 parking spaces.

Vale of Glamorgan’s Planning Committee approved the plans on July 31 despite concerns raised over an “unacceptable scale and design” of the new flats.

Nearby resident John Lawrence told the committee: “The height, mass and external appearance will result in a high-scale, overbearing building.”

Planning officers say the new building would not be much more dominant over the area than the current church.

But Cllr Nic Hodges, a committee member who objected to the plans, said: “It’s an important building, it’s a historic building.

“It deserves care, attention, love and forethought from this council.”

Barry Town Council, which strongly objected to the plans, has said: “The proposed development is unacceptable in scale and design and due to its elevated position above the St Paul’s Avenue street levels and would be an incongruous feature in the street scene resulting in overshadowing, overbearing and dominate the surrounding residential properties and area

“The design of the proposed development does little to reflect the character, heritage, integrity and robustness of the former St Paul’s Church and thearea.”

Steffan Harries, for agents LRM Planning, said there would be a significant cost in refurbishing the current church and said it would “provide much-needed affordable housing on an otherwise redundant site”.

The planning application says: “The scheme will provide a mix and range of affordable housing to meet current needs. The scheme will entirely consist of general needs affordable housing.”