AN imposing church in an East Lancashire township is to be knocked down and its site grassed over and given to the neighbouring primary school as a play area.

Hyndburn councillors have reluctantly granted the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford approval to demolish St Charles’ Church and its attached presbytery in St Charles Road, Rishton.

They closed in 2020 and have since deteriorated in condition and would now cost too much to repair.

The authority's planning committee is to ask the Diocese to install a peace garden on the site after a plea by Rishton councillor Kate Walsh.

The demolition will now take place over the summer school holiday.

Approval was given despite the council's conservation office judging the demolition as 'catastrophic'.

Planning manager Simon Prideaux told the meeting on Wednesday that as the building was not statutorily listed or in a conservation it could not refuse approval but only consider the proposed procedures to knock it down and restore the site.

He said the Diocese had indicated it intended to grass the land over and gift it to the neighbouring St Charles RC Primary School for a play area.

Cllr Walsh attended the meeting and told it: "I appreciate that this committee has been put in a terrible position today by being asked to vote on the demolition of a church but it was important that the council can assure residents that councillors made a responsible and informed decision.

"I have recently become aware of the Diocese's plans to gift the land to St Charles' School for the creation of a playground.

"This revelation is both reassuring and welcome use of the land.

"I formally request that the Diocese consider installing a peace garden on the site.

"The proposed peace garden could incorporate materials salvaged from the church such as one of its exquisite windows.

"It would serve as a sacred space where former parishioners can visit, light a candle and cherish memories of christenings, wedding and other significant events that took place within the walls of St Charles' Church.

"This peaceful sanctuary would provide solace and a connection to the church's rich history for generations to come.

Labour group leader Cllr Munsif Dad said: "As a religious person, it is sad to see this church coming down."

Fellow Labour councillor Bernard Dawson said: "Is is sad. You don't want to see a church demolished."

Mr Prideaux said: "The size, scale, design and details of the church positively contribute to the character of the street scene and it is a landmark building."