Joy for owner of former Bacup church as council finally approve transformational plans

Freddy Khattab applied to Rossendale Borough Council on multiple occasions for permission to transform the former St John's Church on Burnley Road in Bacup into an events and arts space, but was met with rejection amid concerns over parking and noise.

However, at a planning and development meeting on Tuesday night, Mr Khattab's application was overwhelmingly approved, with only two councillors opposing the plans.

Mr Khattab said on Wednesday morning: "I am over the moon and super happy. It was a harsh interrogation in a way, questions and answers, but in the end only two councillors said no but the rest were in support.

"I needed to submit a retrospective application to do the outdoor toilets and under floor heating as these works have already done, and that went through with no issues, so everything is above board and approved now.

"I have been working on this for three years, and I have discussed the next steps with my planning officer - we will not be doing any live/music events until the next stages are complete and I need to sort the parking and extractor fan in the kitchen.

"So for now I will continue doing the farmers markets as long as they stop at 6pm."

The proposed opening times for the new venue were 9am to 9pm on weekdays, 9am to 11pm on Saturdays and 10am to 9pm on Sundays, however, Mr Khattab is not yet allowed to carry out events past 6pm until secondary glazing is installed in the church, a condition stated by Environmental Health which will help keep any noise from evening events inside the building.

A planning report for councillors at this week’s development committee stated: “Full, part-retrospective change-of-use permission is sought to turn the main building from a house to mixed community use and residential use to enable events such as a farmers’ market, a gallery and concerts, with an element of residential accommodation retained.

“The application incorporates internal and external alterations to the building, plus landscaping and retaining works. Also the construction of an external toilet block and construction of a new, standalone one-bedroom apartment for use as a holiday let.”

Several events had already been held at the premises without planning permission, which caused noise nuisance late into the night through sound escaping from the building and from patrons’ voices once they had left the church.

As a result, Mr Khattab was served with a stop and enforcement notice by the council in November, prohibiting the use of the church for all public events.

However, he continued with a handful of the planned events, including a recent farmers market, which was attended by Rossendale and Darwen MP, Jake Berry, who is in full support of Mr Khattab's plans to transform the former church.

Mr Khattab added: ""Giving me stop notices and enforcement notices for all the events was stupid, the council should have been proud that I bought this church and brought it back to life instead of it being left to rot like a lot of the churches in Rossendale.

"But, that's all behind me, this is the best Christmas present for me.

"I have received so many positive comments since the decision last night. But really, it's Bacup who has won, and this will do so much for Rossendale.

"I will be drawing people into Bacup because of this project. I am so passionate about this. Every penny I own I put into this building."

Other supporters of Mr Khattab's plans, including members of Bacup Now, and hundreds of residents say the new venue will make Bacup better by bringing social, economic and tourism benefits - cultural life could be boosted and the landmark building would be saved from falling into neglect.

Ian Francis said: "Excellent news for our Bacup community, the Rossendale Valley and the future of this wonderful heritage building, saved from decline and ruin by Freddy.

"RBC showing foresight and commitment to bringing life and purpose into this beautiful venue. Well done to all involved."

Janet Boon said: "This is great news for Freddy and for Bacup.

"The town centre was starting to flag a little with Covid and the fight back.

"The disappointment with the fountain, the taxi parking saga and St Johns.

"Perhaps we can get back on track now with our efforts being put into the town centre plans, getting the market back to how it should be.

"Great news that the Bacup Cinema has been offered a home at the ABD Centre with our first showing of the Grinch on December 4, which had a great attendance.

"Now with St. Johns bringing the farmers market, culture and heritage, entertainment etc. Bacup has so much to offer but a lot more time, effort and planning has to go into it."

Mr Khattab is now looking to the future and has big plans for the venue.

There will be no more official events before Christmas or in January, when traders will take a break but there will be another farmers market planned for February 2022.