A CHURCH which has lain empty for nearly 20 years is set to be reborn as a traditional building skills centre.

Plans have been unveiled to transform St Mary’s Church, in Manchester Road, Nelson, by the Heritage Trust for the North West.

The Barrowford-based trust, along with local colleges, has already staged demonstrations on conservation skills including stonework, glazing and preservation techniques, at the church.

Now the conservation organisation wants to stage educational classes and conferences on a permanent basis within the de-consecrated building.

Neil Wall, a spokesman for Purcell Miller Tritton, the trust’s Bristol-based planning agents, has told Pendle council that the proposals would seek to retain the traditonal outlook of the church, which was last used for worship around 1989.

He added: "The main space of the church and the ground level will be sub-divided to provide private office/seminar and demonstration areas."

Plans have been drawn up for a new mezzanine level, for additional lecturing space, and a library and archive will be established in the basement.

Six full-time posts would be created by the trust as part of the venture, with car parking for 37 vehicles being applied for at the north, east and west sides of the old church.

Mr Wall said: "The roof will be renewed using original slates, but lain over a new breather membrane.

"New clear glass leaded lights are proposed in the existing openings and traceries.

"The original stained glass windows will sit mounted inside the new in bespoke stainless steel frames so that they are secure but visible."

The trust, as well as being behind Pendle Heritage Centre, at Park Mill, is also involved with conservation projects such as Higherford Mill in Barrowford and the Lomeshaye’s Weaving Sheds and Bridge Mill, near St Mary’s in Whitefield, Nelson.

The new proposals have already found favour with Pendle’s Mayor Coun Shelagh Derwent when she visited an open day staged by the trust at St Mary’s.