Consultation over Christmas star church listing

The star on the church is a popular local landmark

The public is being asked whether a former 1920s baptist church that features a distinctive "Christmas star" should be listed by its local authority.

Hearsall Baptist Church in Coventry was put up for sale in February, despite a 1,000-name petition calling for the building to be locally listed.

City councillors have agreed that a six-week consultation process should go ahead, likely in July.

Locally listed status would mean the building's heritage must be considered in any proposed redevelopment, limiting the scope of some plans. But the move does not afford full statutory protection.

The church was put up for sale at the start of the year

But one Conservative councillor, Marcus Lapsa, said consultation would be “a waste of money".

“Looking at the type of properties [we’ve] looked at in the past, this would not have even been considered,” he said.

He added he understood why people wanted the Christmas star on the building protected, but he said it would not be practical, as it was not a permanent fixture.

But fellow Conservative Roger Bailey said he believed the building had "heritage value".

A report by council officers has found the church may be able to meet the council’s threshold for local listing.

But they said the situation depended on more research and public consultation.

They recommended the process take a step forward by putting the matter before the community.