Cheshire West approves home plan for Moulton Methodist Church

Cheshire West and Chester Council have greenlit plans to convert the former Moulton Methodist Church.

It is currently up for sale but if a buyer can be found, they would be free to demolish parts of the building and turn it into a home, with the neighbouring hall becoming a garage.

In a report published on February 5, case officer Angela Wrigley said: “The changes to the external appearance of the building would remove unsympathetic extensions and would not result in a harmful visual impact upon the character and appearance of the area.

“The proposed development would not provide an unacceptable impact on highway safety and would include sufficient off-street parking.

“It is considered on balance that the proposed change of use would allow for the continued use and retention of an important building to the history of the area.”

Built in 1875, the church is a locally listed building.

At a church council meeting on September 3, 2020, the managing trustees unanimously agreed to cease worship and sell the building at the end of October that year.

Inside the church hall (Image: Rightmove/Coulby Conduct)

Trustees said the main reason for this decision was declining membership, with just eight members, only five of whom attended services.

Of these five, most were over 80 and 'not in good health', a statement of closure included in the planning application explained.

“The feeling of the meeting was that having already temporarily closed due to the Covid-19 restrictions it would be very difficult for them to re-open the building in a Covid-secure manner,” the statement added.

Also included in the application was a pre-sale evaluation which said the building needed 'significant upgrades'.

It continued: “There are no obvious alternative uses for the building either as a focus for mission or as a building that could be used to provide income to support mission without significant investment. There is no will or energy to undertake this work.”

Moulton Methodist Church is currently being marketed by Coulby Conduct, with a guide price of £245,000.

A spokesperson for the estate agents said: “A rare opportunity has arisen to purchase an original former Methodist Church in the popular village of Moulton.

“The property is prime for development to transform this property into the ideal family home.”