PLANS to demolish and replace a church building in Leftwich have been approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The existing Emmanuel Evangelical Church on Old Hall Road will be knocked down, and a new and improved structure will be built in its place.

The construction of a new community space and café will also be completed in order to ‘significantly open up the opportunities for the community’.

The current church building was built in the 1970s and sits on a 0.42-acre site.

Northwich Guardian:

The existing church building (Credit: Google Maps)

Plans propose the rotation of the church by 90 degrees so that it presents a ‘much more positive frontage’ to Old Hall Road, with a glass entrance to welcome people in.

The main and multi-purpose halls will bookend the building, with the former accommodating Sunday services and the latter serving community activities.

Between the two halls will be a café, acting as an ‘inviting social space’ offering an array of church and community uses.

The car park will sit to the rear to reduce the visible influence of cars, with access off Kenmare Bank.

Northwich Guardian:

A planning statement for the application reads: “Due to the poor layout, outdated construction standards and poor design aesthetics of the building, the church leadership decided to explore replacing the church with a new building and community facility.

“Over the last four decades, the church has built many close links within the community but would like to foster closer relationships and be of greater help to local people.

“The new building would significantly open up the opportunities for the community, helping to build social cohesion as well as social, physical, cultural, environmental and spiritual well-being in an under-served area.”

In their report, planning officers state that 23 neighbouring properties were notified of the plans prior to approval, with no objections received and one comment being submitted in support.