PLANS to convert an historic church building into 11 one-bed flats have been approved by Barnsley Council’s planning board - despite letters of objection.

The Smithies Wesleyan Reform Church, on Wakefield Road, has been vacant for some time and last year went up for auction on the Mark Jenkinson and Co website where it was subsequently sold.

The main building dates from 1912 and the rear split-level former Sunday school building was built in 1932.

Plans were submitted to the council last June to convert the church building into ‘much-needed’ apartments.

A report states: “In recent years, the buildings have been vacant and were listed for auction in December 2024 where it was purchased by the applicant.

“Both buildings are attractive stone-built structures with the site having frontage on to Wakefield Road.

“The proposal would also result in 11 new homes within a sustainable location through reuse of a building.

“By repurposing an existing structure, the proposal minimises demolition waste, reduces the need for new construction materials, and respects the established built form and character of the area.

“This approach not only contributes to meeting local housing needs but does so in a manner that is environmentally responsible, visually coherent, and consistent with national and local planning policy objectives encouraging brownfield regeneration.”

The report added that the development would bring a vacant site back into use to the benefit of the whole of the local community.

It said: “The site comprises a vacant and unused former church building, which has not served any active community function for a number of years.

“It is understood that no formal services or community activities have been held at the premises for a considerable period, and there is no realistic prospect of the building returning to active community use in the future.

“In this case, the building has remained unoccupied for an extended period and is no longer viable as a place of worship or community facility.

“Furthermore, the surrounding area is well-served by a range of alternative community venues and places of worship within accessible distances, particularly towards Barnsley town centre and the wider Smithies area.

“These include the Gateway Church, Hope House Church and Manor Court Community Centre.

“The proposed development represents an opportunity to bring a redundant, underutilised building back into active use, in a manner that is sympathetic to its architectural character while contributing positively to housing supply in a highly sustainable urban location.”

When the plans went to public consultation, ten letters of objection were received.

Residents’ concerns ranged from highway safety, heritage concerns and the loss of a community facility.

However, the plans were given the green light earlier this week subject to a section 106 agreement - cash set aside by developers for local amenities - which includes a contribution of £3,341 towards sustainable travel.

The report added: “Barnsley cannot currently demonstrate a five-year housing land supply (including the buffer required because of our most recent housing delivery test result) and accordingly there is a demonstrable unmet need for housing.

“The delivery of 11 additional dwellings would make a small but valuable contribution to the existing stock.

“Taking into account the relevant development plan policies and other material considerations, it is not considered that there are any significant and demonstrable adverse impacts that would outweigh the benefits associated with the granting of planning permission for the proposal.

“All other material planning considerations have been fully explored by the appropriate consultees who have raised no objections to the proposal subject to conditions or S106 contributions and holistically this weighs moderately in favour of the application.

Having balanced all material planning considerations, whilst a number of objections have been received in respect to the proposal, they have been suitably addressed through the information supplied and further amendments to the scheme.

“As a consequence, the positive aspects of the proposal outlined above are not outweighed by any other material planning considerations.”