Councillors told to refer church conversion plans to Ministers

Councillors last month raised concerns about whether a major long-awaited scheme to build 171 flats at grade 11* listed Mount St Mary’s Church at Richmond Hill in the city would ever get off the ground before agreeing to seek further clarification from those behind the scheme.

A report to members of Leeds City Council’s plans panel east says that the developer has now written to the council to confirm its commitment to redeveloping the landmark site, spelling out its 10-year involvement with the project.

The letter from Rushbond says: “Members will appreciate that this property is held in great affection by a large sector of the community who have worked tirelessly with us to ensure it has a future as it would be tragic if these genuine efforts for a considered redevelopment were in vain.

“We will continue to explore and work in conjunction with prospective partners and officers to bring forward this development at the earliest realistic point in time.”

The company’s letter also says some £320,000 has also been spent on roof repairs and maintenance works to the church. The developers additionally say that they have worked closely with various stakeholders over the years.

Mount St Mary’s, which stands on the crest of a hill and can be seen from many parts of the city, is regarded by many as an architectural gem, but today it stands derelict.

Developers were given permission three years ago to partly demolish Mount St Mary’s Church at Richmond Hill, build a seven-floor extension and demolish the presbytery and create a five-storey block.

But the downturn in the economy has meant the applicant, MSM (Leeds) Ltd – part of Rushbond Plc Group – was unable to implement the scheme within the three-year planning time limit.

The developers are now asking for an extension of the time limit to allow them to get the plans off the drawing board.

Both buildings are now in an advanced state of dereliction following the closure of the church in 1989, according to the council. Both are on the council’s buildings-at-risk register.

A Leeds Council planning report says the plans have to be decided by councillors and, ultimately, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, because of the sensitive nature of the site and the buildings.

Mount St Mary’s Church is grade II* listed and its associated presbytery grade II, so both buildings require time extensions to the listed building planning consent granted in June 2008.

Last month, councillors deferred making a decision about the project.

When members of the plans panel meet on Thursday, council officers are recommending that the project is given a time extension and is referred to Mr Pickles’s department.

The scheme now proposes demolishing the nave and aisles of the church and replacing them with a modern extension of a similar scale to the original.

A “feature” window will be provided in the west gable to create a “lantern” effect at night to imitate the church’s original west window which would be demolished.

The chancel, transept areas and altars would be retained and restored, including repair of the stained glass windows, the high altar and steps.

Backing for the plans has previously come from English Heritage, whose experts said the poor condition of the buildings and the difficulty of conversion meant the changes proposed may be justified.

Objectors to the renewed application say the level of demolition proposed is unacceptable. Supporters say without Rushbond’s acquisition the buildings would be an unprotected ruin.