We are currently in the exciting process of a significant building project to achieve the:
- rennovation of the existing church building which has little work and/or money spent on it for some years prior to our taking the building over;
- building of an annexe, linked to the existing building, which will develop a number of new spaces to provide a facility suitable for 7-day a week use, and to enable us to serve the community much more effectively.
Currently (Jan 2008) we are finalising our planning application with our architects D5. Illustrative drawings of these plans can be found here.
Monyhull Hospital closed in 2000 and the site was acquired by Bellway Homes and George Wimpey for a housing estate of about 600 homes. We reached an agreement with the relevant authorities whereby in exchange for the transfer of the church building to us we would extend and develop the site and use it to serve the new estate.
Site plan of the new estate - Aerial view of the church
As at December 2007 all but the last few homes have been built and the contractors are beginning to bring the services and roads up to a suitable level. The majority of residents have now moved in - although there are still some exciting opportunities to purchase a house on the new estate. Because of various planning issues the legal title to the building has not yet been transferred to us, but we anticipate that that will happen very soon. We will then begin the re-development work as soon as possible.
Our plans for the building
The current church is a very large and sturdy building, but seriously lacking in amenities. There will therefore need to be several elements to the annexe and redevelopment project:
- New Entrance and Welcome Area
- New toilets
- New kitchen
- A main hall
- New meeting rooms
- Car parking and external landscaping
- Eventual refurmishment of existing main church building
It is anticipated that the cost will be in the region of £1.3 million. As at October 2007 we have raised about £600,000 will be starting fundraising in earnest in early 2008 once we have received planning approval.
For more pictures of the proposed annexe click here.
For more information contact Gareth Iley and he will be delighted to answer any of your queries.