Plans to convert Arnold church into apartments given green light

The ‘sensitive’ transformation of a Baptist church in Arnold was welcomed by councillors as plans to convert it into apartments were given the green light. The church, in Cross Street, was last used as a place of worship in 2020.

Mr T Ubhi, of 9 Property Group Ltd, submitted plans to convert the old church building and Victorian school room into nine residential apartments, alongside the construction of a four-storey block featuring a further 14 one-bedroom apartments.

Original plans suggested the church should be demolished, however they were changed on the advice of Gedling Borough Council’s planning officers. Plans to retain and convert the church were unanimously approved as a planning committee meeting on Wednesday (November 27).

Cllr Paul Wilkinson (Lab) said: “There is no doubt whatsoever this is a very sympathetic development and I congratulate the applicant in terms of the work he’s done to make it acceptable from a building point of view. I am slightly concerned about the lack of parking, but I think there is a balance to be struck here.

"It is difficult to think of a more sustainable location in terms of public transport anywhere in borough and that certainly mitigates against the lack of parking.”

The applicant was required to provide financial contributions to make the development acceptable in planning terms, under what’s known as a Section 106 agreement. Nottinghamshire County Council had asked for a contribution of £7,200 towards improvements to nearby bus stop infrastructure at James Street, which the applicant has agreed to pay.

The applicant will also provide £146,311 towards more affordable housing in the area.

“It is very pleasing to see an applicant agreeing to pay all their planning obligations, that seems to be increasingly rare these days,” Cllr Wilkinson added.

Cllr Stuart Bestwick and Cllr Helen Greensmith, both Conservative, said they had concerns over the lack of parking and the “overbearing” nature of the four-storey apartment building. They were informed neighbours had been consulted, but the council had only received two letters of objection.

Season tickets will be available for residents at nearby car parks to alleviate any parking concerns, a council officer said.

Cllr Julie Najuk (Lab) added: “I am really pleased to see a local asset is being sensitively looked after, and a local person is even more important to me. If this didn’t go through the building would become derelict and would then have to be demolished, and then you would lose it completely."

Nottinghamshire County Council ’s archaeologists said human remains had been found on the site in 2017, and said the applicant would need a licence to remove any further remains if discovered during future building work.