A CHURCH and church hall could be knocked down and rebuilt surrounded by affordable homes.
Housing developers Orbit Group have applied to Warwick District Council to build on the site of Lillington Free Church on Cubbington Road.
The money made by selling land to developers – who hope to build 25 homes on the site – would then be used to rebuild the church, an integrated community hall and small car park.
The United Reformed Church say the 50 year-old building would otherwise need costly repairs.
The planning application reads: “The site is occupied by a large brick church building with a somewhat shabby and dated appearance.
“The church and church room are now far too large for the congregation, in much need of repair and are proving to be prohibitively expensive to heat and maintain. They have come to the end of their useful life.”
Orbit hope to build 25 affordable homes on the site – consisting of six flat and 19 houses. There would also be 19 car parking spaces.
Developers hope to knock down the existing building and make way for a single-storey combined church and church hall, which they say will better serve the community.
Outside there would be crosses on the wall along with a large stained glass window which would face the road.
The developers added: “The church urgently needs modern, flexible accommodation within one building that is more efficient to manage and maintain, and provides the space it requires for the services and activities it can offer to the local community.
“This proposed development will deliver that community benefit without the need for external funding sources. The church have been instrumental in the design and layout of the building, and the internal and external space provided meets their requirements. They are therefore fully supportive of the application.”
