‘Sad but only viable use!’ Planners give blessing for Gosberton Clough Methodist Church to become four-bed home

Planners have given their blessing for a former Methodist Church to be transformed into a home.

The building at Beck Bank, Gosberton Clough, can now become a four-bed property, after gaining approval by South Holland District Council.

The conversion of the structure from a house of God to family home has been greeted as ‘sad’ but inevitable, by SHDC’s Coun Henry Bingham.

“Although sad, the conversion of these buildings is about the only viable use rather than them falling in to decay,” he said in response to the plans, which were applied for by Rev Luke Smith.

The building ceased being a place of worship last year.

Drawings attached with the submission show plans for a proposed four-bed lay-out plus open-plan lounge-kitchen-diner.

The designs also include a bathroom, utility room, study, additional WC, store, lobby and hallway.

The current meeting hall area would become the bedrooms, with one of the four bedrooms would be a master bedroom with en suite.

The church area would become the proposed lounge-kitchen-diner.

The Beck Bank church was officially opened in July 1935, costing around £2,000 to construct.

“No external alterations are proposed such as extensions or changes to the existing building elevations,” the planning officer’s report said.

“There are no significant factors in this case that would outweigh the benefits of the proposal; therefore, the planning balance is in favour of the proposal.”