Plans reveal Wakefield church could be converted into three bedroom house

St John the Divine, in Calder Grove, closed for worship in 2018, and has remained empty ever since.

But under new plans submitted to Wakefield Council by the Anglican Diocese of Leeds, the church could be converted to a three bedroom home.

In their application, the diocese said: "The decision to close St John the Divine was taken due to its small congregation coupled with inadequate heating and lack of toilet facilities.

"The building is currently unused but is still maintained by the Diocese. However a vacant building will always deteriorate. The only way to protect a building is to find a use for it.

"Due to its small size and its location within a residential area conversion to form a dwelling is the most appropriate new use for St John the Divine.

"Whilst there is some loss of original fabric in the proposed alterations this loss is considered to be justified by the need to provide accommodation that is accessible, provides a good level of insulation and enables the rooms to have the benefits of natural ventilation."

According to the plans, the conversion would provide a double height kitchen/dining room and two double bedrooms on the ground floor, as well as an additional bedroom at first floor in the central section of the nave, and a double height living room.

The vestry would become a family bathroom.

Additional works would be carried out to improve the thermal performance of the building and level the floors, as well as install double glazing on several windows.

The conversion would "retain the sense of volume and expose the roof structure which provides much of the character of this building".

The plans also suggest that the churchyard could be divided to provide space for the construction of a new detached house.

The building dates back to the late 19th century, and was granted Grade II listed status in April 2016.