A church in Cheshire which closed due to having a congregation of just five people is due to be turned into a respite home with a community library and cinema room.
Planners at Cheshire West and Chester Council approved the application for Moulton Methodist Church on Main Road in Moulton, near Northwich, which closed its doors in 2020.
The plans, by Care Liberty Group, will see the building converted into a short-term residential care facility with seven bedrooms for adults with learning disabilities.
Located at the junction of Main Road and Chapel Street, the locally listed church was built in 1875 but closed after a unanimous vote by trustees which saw services end on 31 October 2020.
A letter to the planning department said the main reason was falling membership, with just eight members – only five of whom were able to attend regularly – all over the age of 80.
A design and access statement said the propensity of Gen Z (people born between 1997 and 2012) towards online activities had left church attendances falling.
It said: “Today’s youngsters, Gen Z, have since grown into an economic and cultural force that is more akin to using technology – YouTube, ChatGPT, Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp to name a few – and influence via social media behind many of the biggest fashion trends setter (sic) rather than attending churches.”
Another factor, it said, was a significant increase in the daily running costs of large religious buildings.
The document said the new facility would provide short term relief for residents and allow them to “take a break”.
It added each resident would be there for three or four nights, have a personalised care plan, be over 18 and have learning disabilities – or may have complex health needs.
The accommodation will comprise of ensuite private bedrooms, two lounge areas, a cinema room, kitchen and separate bathroom.
There will also be a garden and community library available to locals.
Granting approval, a council planning officer concluded: “While the loss of the church is regrettable, the village of Moulton is also supported by the parish church, St Stephens, located some 400m away, who have made a declaration of ecumenical welcome and commitment, offering pastoral care and support to the remaining members of the Moulton Methodist church.”
They said the local community could access facilities at St Stephen’s or the Royal British Legion for community uses that were not church-related.
Plans had previously been submitted by another developer to convert the building into three homes, but neighbours raised worries about the impact on parking.
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