Enderby Life Church in Leicestershire may soon be demolished to make way for a new children’s home, following an application by Josh Barber submitted to Blaby District Council (BDC). If approved, the church building on Moores Lane would be flattened and replaced by a residential care facility for youngsters.
When the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) spoke to nearby residents about the proposal, many were unaware of the plans and surprised at the possibility of the church being torn down. One resident from a nearby retirement complex said, “It’s the first I’ve heard of it. I’m not against it, the children need to go somewhere.”
The church’s minister, Chris Thompson, clarified that the congregation is growing and that they are relocating rather than closing. “The congregation is very strong, so strong that we are moving to a bigger building,” he explained. Enderby Life Church has purchased the former United Methodist Church in the center of Enderby village, and planning permission has been granted for modifications to the new location.
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The current church building is noted in planning documents as having an “unusual appearance” due to multiple extensions added during the 1980s. The original chapel, dating back to around 1890 and originally called the Quarryman’s Mission, is situated behind these additions.
The redevelopment plan involves demolishing the existing church and part of the boundary wall facing Moores Lane. A new children’s care home will be constructed in approximately the same location. The existing car park and access point will be retained and enlarged to accommodate the new facility.
The proposed home will be a one-and-a-half storey building, with the upper floor partly integrated into the roof space. Leicester City Council is expected to run the new residential care home, which will accommodate up to four children between the ages of eight and 18. The stay for children may range from short periods to several years until they reach adulthood.
Staffing plans include a registered manager and deputy manager working primarily 9am to 5pm, supported by 12 practitioners providing care both day and night.
Two formal objections have been submitted to BDC, although details remain confidential. Enderby Parish Council has publicly opposed the application, citing that the proposed design is incompatible with the conservation area’s character and would negatively impact the site’s heritage. They highlighted concerns that the use of red brick and render would clash with the predominantly red brick street scene and fail to reflect the church’s historical significance.
Blaby District Councillor Cheryl Cashmore has also become involved, arguing that the development does not respect the local area’s character and would adversely affect the community. As a result, the application will be decided publicly by councillors at a planning committee meeting instead of by planning officers.
A decision on whether to approve the demolition and redevelopment is expected by Thursday, January 29.