DEMOLITION of a Catholic Church building which dates back more than 80 years can officially go ahead after consent was granted.

An application was sent to the council last year seeking consent to knock down St Peter and St Paul's Church on Woodlands Road, Haresfinch.

The church had served the community for more than eight decades, with construction of the building having begun during the interwar period in 1938.

As the Star has previously reported, the church was closed by the Archdiocese of Liverpool in 2020.

The application, received in September, 2021 was for "prior approval for (the) demolition of redundant church, presbytery and parish club".

Plans say the redundant buildings would be, if left unoccupied, "at risk from vandalism and fire".

Demolition would be carried out using a hydraulic excavator.

The council said that prior approval was required for the demolition "as the buildings on site had bird and bat roosting potential". It was also said the building "is considered to have historical interest". 

Case officer Daley Parsonage noted that since submission, a "report states that no evidence of bat use or presence was found and the council does not need to consider the proposals against the three tests of the Habitats Regulations".

It was noted the applicant has since submitted a Heritage Statement "in support of the planning application for demolition".

Mr Parsonage recommended prior approval be granted for the demolition, stating: "Given the above additional information it is considered that the demolition of the building would not harm protected species and adequately addressed the significance of the building". 

The heritage statement said: "The demolition of the building will impact the heritage asset, and historic fabric will be lost.

"If the proposal is deemed acceptable, to mitigate the loss of historical fabric it is recommended that a programme of historic building recording be undertaken, for preservation by record".

Prior approval for the demolition was granted. This must be carried out within five years.

In 2020, during the Covid pandemic, the Archdiocese of Liverpool made the decision to close St Peter & St Paul's Church. 

Pastoral provision for the parishioners of St Peter and Paul is now provided at Holy Cross Church in the town centre.