Church plan deferred over 'unanswered questions'

The Church of the Holy Innocents on Vicarage Road could become two homes if the plans are approved

Plans to convert a church into houses have been deferred due to "unanswered questions" about nearby graves and how it could affect those with loved ones buried there.

It has been proposed the Church of the Holy Innocents in Dewsbury be turned into two four-bedroom houses but there were concerns parties and music could be intrusive, said Kirklees Council.

There were also concerns from councillors that a proposed car park would "impose" on the area and that there might be unmarked graves on site that needed to be protected.

However a Church Commissioners spokesperson said the churchyard would remain under the management of the local parish and extra safeguarding measures would be put in place.

There have been 49 objections to the plans, and one said: "I have a family member in this graveyard and feel it would be very upsetting for families of loved ones to visit and tend to their graves.

"I for one would not feel comfortable visiting if, say, the occupiers are having a party or family get-together."

Councillor Cathy Scott acknowledged there were a lot of "unanswered questions" about the proposal.

She said: "I don't think this would be fair because for me, it would impose on those graves.

"Putting parking spaces or vehicles adjacent or over any kind of grave for me, would be gross, and I really think that is a serious issue here."

But council planning officers have recommended the plans be approved, subject to various conditions.

Emma Cosgrif from the Church Commissioners said: "We appreciate that many objectors have loved ones buried in the churchyard and we recognise the deep significance that this holds for their families and for the wider community."

She told the meeting most of the churchyard was excluded from the boundary of the area and another access point would be developed for the public under the plan.

Councillors wanted to confirm that the internal features of the church, like a war memorial, would be preserved and that further surveys would be carried out.

It was also recommended the Commonwealth War Graves Commission be contacted due to the presence of such graves on site, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The final decision was deferred to a later date, once further conditions had been added to the planning application.

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