Preaching to the converted?
Witty wordplay aside, there’s a serious point about conversions. We’ve all witnessed first hand in the past ten years the slow implosion of the high street, with big names like BHS, Toys R Us, House of Fraser to name but three, going to the wall. These retail giants come with vast space, ample parking and are often in prime locations outside a main town or city. We will look at what could be with redundant retail parks in a future blog, but here we want to talk religion.
Modern Conversions Demand Smart Technology
As land becomes more scarce and planning controls more rigorous, many developers and home owners are looking at conversions of existing buildings and churches have become sought after.
Churches are not only the preserve of Grand Designs and have become an increasingly popular choice in recent years.
This Trend is Set to Continue
A church, particularly if it’s of modest size, can present few logistical problems. Adhering to planning regulations and listing requirements is one, but the interior can often be cleverly separated with suspended floors and interior partitions that make a place of worship a place to live.
Often churches have rudimentary heating, which is an easy upgrade and aspects like stained glass windows become real talking points.
You can find great examples of successful church and chapel conversions online. Two, we particularly like, are featured here: a tin chapel conversion in Chester and a restoration of a derelict chapel in the Pennines. Which do you like best?
