Plans to convert Bowburn church into holiday lets approved

Durham County Council approved plans to transform Bowburn Methodist Church into seven apartments for holidaymakers. 

The applicant, Jon Boss, said the development will protect the building’s future and preserve its historic character. 

Committee members criticised the future viability and location of the development, but warned they didn’t have any substantial reasons to vote against the scheme. 

Plans to convert a church into holiday lets faced opposition from residents. (Image: The Northern Echo)

Just three designated parking spaces for the development will be provided; however, Mr Boss said demand will be lower than the church’s previous use, which attracted gatherings and events. 

Reform UK’s Kyle Genner, of Bownburn and Coxhoe ward, told a planning committee that parking in the area is a “major issue”. 

He added: “The development requires eight spaces, and there are only three. If we are duty-bound to make objective decisions, then that is all the information we need. There are not enough parking spaces for this development.”

Visitors to the holiday lets are expected to use parking elsewhere in the village. 

“What’s been proposed is not a suitable development,” said Jan Blakey, also a county councillor for Bowburn and Coxhoe. 

A former six-bedroom guest house in the village was converted into a funeral home after it was deemed unviable, the Independent member added. 

She said: “If a six-bedroom guest house was unviable, how can you say this holiday let is going to be? There’s no social benefit to our community whatsoever.”

Committee members criticised the future viability and location of the development, but warned they didn’t have any substantial reasons to vote against the scheme. 

Councillor Mark Wilkes said: “If I were looking online for somewhere to go on holiday, I wouldn’t necessarily think ‘oh that’s a nice location next to the industrial estate in a village on a main road’. 

“I find myself in a difficult position here because I struggle to understand that in the future, there will be nine holiday lets at this location, but we have to look at the plans before us.”

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Planning officers warned the planning application would likely be overturned at an appeal if it was refused. 

Councillor David Freeman, of Elvet, Gilesgate and Shincliffe ward, said: “This application is far from perfect. The parking situation is probably the one thing we could look at, but I am unconvinced by that. There seems to be enough elsewhere for the other vehicles. 

“Sadly, I don’t think we have any grounds to refuse this application. Members will not be happy about that, but that’s where we are. I don’t see any grounds for us not to do so.”