A derelict church in Eastbourne is set to be demolished and replaced with 17 homes.
St Andrew’s Church in Blackwater Road closed in 2017 when four churches merged, leaving three unused.
The church was given permission that year to knock it down and build a block of 36 flats – but those plans never progressed.
It was sold for £1.13 million in 2019, and in 2021 developer Mark Overy of N Living Ltd applied to knock it down and build 17 houses there instead.
Eastbourne Borough Council refused the plans in 2022, saying they would “prejudice highway safety” and there not enough parking spaces or homes – but Mr Overy appealed and this year an inspector approved the plans.
Inspector J Hobbs also ordered the council to pay Mr Overy’s full costs, saying the plans should never have been refused.
Meanwhile, the church is falling into disrepair, and this week was featured by an urban explorer who took pictures of its increasingly derelict interior.
It showed parts of the roof which have collapsed onto the church organ.
Mr Hobbs said: “The addition of 17 houses would be a significant benefit against a housing shortfall together with economic benefits associated with the construction of the scheme and increased population living in the area.
“However, I am mindful that the proposal would effectively lead to a reduction in the housing supply figures given that the scheme for 35 apartments on the site, already included in the supply figures, would not be delivered.
He added: “The council can only demonstrate 1.8 years of deliverable housing land … Consequently, planning permission should be granted unless any adverse impacts would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits
“The proposal would result in a high-density development, albeit it has been demonstrated that a higher density development would be acceptable.
“All parties accept that there is no protection from demolition of the building under the applicant’s permitted development rights. As partial demolition has already occurred this is a real prospect.
“Furthermore, the council acknowledge the building is likely to remain vacant and fall into a state of disrepair unless converted to residential use.
“This together with the benefits I outline above are sufficient to outweigh the harm caused by its loss.”
In awarding Mr Overy his costs, Mr Hobbs said the council had not explained how it had come to its decision.
