Scenario

The site at St Stephen’s in Hyde, Greater Manchester, comprised a Grade II listed church building and adjoining land. With the church no longer in use, Church Commissioners for England marketed the property via an agent for sale.

We acted in acquiring the property for development as family housing. As part of the acquisition agreement, we presented the scheme to Church Commissioners for approval.

The primary development issues related to:

• Heritage – ensuring that the development of the church building and any new build proposals did not harm the heritage value of the site, whilst balancing the need for a viable scheme to ensure the church would not fall into disrepair.
• Access – although an access track served part of the land, it was insufficient in providing vehicular access to any new build properties.

Planning and Heritage Consents

Following a series of consultations with Tameside Borough Council’s planning and conservation officers, along with consultations with neighbours, we were successful in gaining planning and listed building consent for a total of 32 dwellings, comprising sensitively designed apartments within the church, and new build family homes on the land.