Plans to Convert Former Penrith Church into Flats Receives Mixed Views

Plans have been submitted to convert the former United reformed Church on Lowther Street in Penrith to create six flats comprising of a mix of 2 and 3 bedroom self-contained flats by local property developers K G Dudson Ltd.

The plans also propose to build a new 2 bedroom dwelling on the current hard standing car park area connected to the current building by a walk way.

The church closed in 2022 due to ageing congregation with falling numbers and members of the congregation finding it difficult to continue carrying out tasks including maintenance of the church.

The town council have supported the plans but said the application should be conditioned to include the installation of EV charging points, recycling of grey and rainwater, PV panels and other sustainable features to ensure environmentally sustainable design going forward. The town council also said the stained glass window should be retained in the building.

Neighbours have raised objections to the plans with one saying, “I am of the view that the extension part of the proposed development will have a serious impact on our standard of living.”

Another neighbour has raised concerns over parking and the impact on the local community saying “The proposed new-build house in the parking area will restrict the parking spaces to one per unit.”

“The inevitable overflow onto the limited number of Zone B street parking spaces in lower Lowther Street (already shared with permit holders living on Meeting House Lane) will add to the current parking pressures.”

Concerns over the proposed extension and changes to the building located in the Penrith conservation area have also been raised by an objector to the plans saying “The church is a prominent building of some historical importance and within a Conservation Area and as such deserves a sensitive conversion scheme aiming to retain as much of the exterior fabric, proportions and stained glass as possible.”

Plans are open for public consultation until the 22nd of March 2025 and full plans can be viewed on the council planning portal via: https://planningregister.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/Planning/Display/2024/2292/FPA