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A major redevelopment of Trinity Church’s centre which will see the building demolished and replaced with an expanded facility onto neighbouring land the church recently acquired has been green lit.
The scheme will see the current building make way for a new three-storey building and courtyard with new and improved facilities inside including an enhanced cafe with a conservatory and larger kitchen, and three new meeting rooms.
The Holy Trinity Church Trust plans to expand the total floor space by 133% and improve accessibility across most of the centre in toilets on each floor and a lift.
The church needs to raise £1.75m for the project though, with £290,000 already gathered as of June.
The expansion has been made possible by the church purchasing 'Henry's Yard' next door to the centre which was formerly the Bordage Stonemasons.
“Our vision for what God can do through Trinity will always be bigger than what our building allows but this redevelopment is an exciting opportunity for us to expand our efforts and build a resource to our island for future generations to come,” the Trust said.
Planners attached 12 conditions to the scheme, including assurances on materials to be used for external features on the building such as railings, gates, Juliet balconies, stonework and cladding to protect the Conservation Area of St Peter Port it’s located in.
The site is also an area of archaeological importance and access for States teams to access it for investigations once the plot is cleared.
The centre currently contains a residential flat, but it’s said to be in a poor condition with unsafe access and it won't be replaced under the approved plans.
Pictured: What the new centre could look like from The Bordage. Credit: Trinity Church.
One letter objecting to the plans was submitted raising concerns with the effect to a neighbouring building and the loss of light, with one email supporting the scheme also received.
“The proposed extension has been carefully designed on the whole as it adopts a form and proportion which reflect those of former warehouse buildings in this part of Le Bordage and are generally acceptable. The contrasting use of render and natural granite on the gable end façade will provide a sense of interest, texture and character to the replacement building whilst achieving a cohesive design,” Planning said.
“Although a few details of the design need to be clarified in order to ensure that the replacement building makes an equal or enhanced contribution to the Conservation Area, the proposed development is capable of making an equal or enhanced contribution to the Conservation Area.”
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