PLANS have been submitted to demolish a Dorridge church and
hall for a larger facility.
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St Philips Church, Manor Road (below) would be demolished for a new facility (above) under plans submitted to Solihull
Metropolitan Borough Council.
The church was built in the late 19th century and
the hall in the 1970s. To see the planning application in full visit here and enter 2014 and 1677 in the two boxes.
Worship space would increase from 215m2 to 364m2 and other
facilities from 603m2 to 872m2.
Its application says: “The possibility of extending,
renovating and altering the existing
buildings again has been considered at length.
“The existing church is however causing concern as
subsidence has been identified and repair and maintenance costs will continue
to rise significantly in the coming years.
“The building is extremely difficult to heat and cool and
has little potential for improvement in this area.
“The main hall building is now 35 years old and in need of considerable modernisation and repair.”
It goes on: “It is considered that these objectives can no
longer be met by refurbishment and alterations and that a new build solution is
the only option in order to meet with current and future community needs.”
The church seats up to 250 but some services attract 350, it
said.
The application said the church is “acknowledged to have
only ‘local historic interest’” and would keep two stained glass windows in
full.
The application says: “The loss is outweighed by the
benefits to the community that the new building will bring including retention
of the church at the heart of the village.”
Two residents have left comments on the planning application
online. Views are sought by the council to November 21.
Michael Parker said: “I warmly support the proposal and wish
them every success. I have long thought the existing church and buildings are
inappropriate for a community like Dorridge and those planned would seem much
more fitting.”
But the other said: “We are concerned about the impact of
the proposed community centre having functions within a quiet residential area
causing excessive noise during the evening and weekends.
“We are concerned this will become an entertainment venue
over and above the normal use of a church hall.”
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