Last updated 12:42, Tuesday, 19 August 2008

A FORMER community centre looks set to be turned into flats.

Barrow Island Community Centre RICHARD ENGLISH REF: 0142037

By Richard Herbert

Planning permission is being sought to convert the empty St John’s church hall on Barrow Island into 10, two-bedroom apartments.

The proposals have been tabled by Gary Cooke, of High Bank, Dalton.

A report about Mr Cooke’s plans, called a design and access statement, explains how the landmark building on Island Road has ended up empty.

The report says: “St John’s hall is currently owned by the Church Commissioners and is a separate building adjacent to the main church, which is still operational.

“The hall is now vacant and surplus to the church’s requirements.

“Due to demographic and social changes, such buildings are becoming redundant. Added to this is the ongoing decline in the fabric and the day-to-day running costs.

“The owners are no longer able to finance the hall and valuable resources are being taken for the church itself. It is becoming more difficult for charitable and community groups to finance schemes that include buildings with high running costs.”

The report goes on to refer to similar conversion schemes for other prominent Barrow buildings like the former court and James Fisher Annexe on Michaelson Road.

“The construction of flats, which previously has been limited in Barrow, is now considered to be the way of the future,” it says.

“Conversion such as proposed is sustainable with densities being high and construction costs reasonable. Currently, the building is beginning to fall into disrepair due to a lack of funding and ongoing maintenance. The proposed scheme will involve substantial funding for renovations and alterations which will not be attracted without the conversion to dwellings.”

Barrow Borough Council is likely to decide whether to grant Mr Cooke’s application by October 26.

Officials for the council said yesterday it had not received any objections but stressed the consultation was still going on.

Councillor Eric Wood, who represents Barrow Island on the council and is vice-chairman of the council’s planning committee, told how the building had been used for activities such as football, badminton, dancing, a youth club and a cafe. Cllr Wood said there was no other large community hall on Barrow Island.

He said: “I’m disappointed that the community use has gone and will be no longer because it’s in private hands.”

Cllr Wood said he and former Barrow Island borough councillor Jim Tongue would have bought the building back for the community but they couldn’t raise enough cash.