Plans approved to convert ruined church into home

Plans have been approved by a council to convert a derelict village church into a three-bedroom home.

The Diocese of Ely applied to Huntingdonshire District Council for permission to redevelop All Saints Church, in Denton, Cambridgeshire, to prevent the permanent loss of the Grade II listed building.

Following a recent structural condition survey, engineers found the church had "major areas of concern".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the planning application stated: "Without a sustainable use [that] can fund ongoing maintenance, the ruin will, in the medium term, become increasingly unstable."

Planning documents submitted to the council explained that the church was used for worship during the 1950s, before it fell into ruin in the 1960s when the roof was removed.

The Diocese of Ely said the church has been used at times since then, with occasional acts of worship held in its churchyard.

The diocese's plans stated: "Public access in the vicinity of the ruin has now been stopped due to the instability of the structure.

"The proposed scheme to convert the ruin into a single dwelling ensures that what is left of the ruin will be maintained and public access, via a defined route for both the local villagers and the outside public, will also be maintained."

It explained that gravestones located around the site will be kept open to the public.

The plans for the home include building a kitchen, dining and living area on the ground floor, and three bedrooms on a new first floor.

The application has been approved by the district council, subject to a series of conditions.

Planning officers who assessed the application said the project would bring the listed building back into use and would offer an "optimum, viable use for the long-term conservation of the heritage asset".

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