Video: Grantham church demolished to make way for housing

The demolition of a Grantham church which was closed in 2011 began today.

Demolition of The Church of the Epiphany, in The Grove, started today after it was closed in 2011 due to health concerns over asbestos. There are plans to build four houses on the site.

Steve Pears, facilities projects manager with the Lincoln Diocese, said the demolition would take between a week and 10 days. He said the church, which was built in the 1970s, had been ‘riddled’ with asbestos but this was removed last year.

Mr Pears added: “It was very disappointing when the church closed. But it was built in the 1970s with the wrong materials. It was riddled with asbestos. It was not cost effective to do anything with it.”

The Lincoln Diocesan Trust and Board of Finance applied for planning permission to demolish the church after it was closed by South Kesteven District Council in September 2011.

A ‘potential risk of exposure to asbestos fibres arising from the fabric of the building’ was the reason stated for the closure, as well as references to areas of ‘disrepair and deterioration’ inside the church.

A nearby resident, who did not wish to be named, said a lot of people were upset that the church had gone. She said: “People in the area raised money to build the church so all round it’s quite sad.”