AN HISTORIC Accrington church could get a massive facelift if a plan to develop it gets the go-ahead.
The scheme involves converting the Cannon Street Baptist Church, Accrington, a Grade II listed building which dates from 1874, into 16 luxury flats. The plans have been put forward by Bury-based Y and Y Develop-ments Ltd and it is hoped they will go before planning chiefs in the New Year.
When approached by the Observer, a spokesman for the firm said it was not prepared to issue a statement but was hoping to give an update on the scheme’s progress in January. The church, which is listed as “vacant” in the plans, has been closed for 18 months and developers are hoping their scheme will breathe new life into the historic building.
Barnfield Councillor Paul Barton said: “Many young people don’t go to church nowadays so the closure could be due to falling attendances.”
It is not the first time a prominent building in the area has been earmarked for development following the recent announcement of plans to convert the former Lar-de-Dars nightclub on Willow Street into 40 luxury apartments.
M and D Developments North West Ltd announced last month that it wanted to create 22 two-bedroom apartments and 18 one-bedroom apartments on the site.
