Bolton: St Johns Evangelist Church extension approved

St John the Evangelist Church, off Moffat Close in Breightmet, first applied to expand its site towards the end of last year.

Since then, Bolton Council officers have been assessing the site for suitability and have now concluded that a proposal for a new single storey side extension will be acceptable.

A statement said: “The existing elevation quite high and featureless, except for a fire escape and three small square windows.

The plans have now been approved by Bolton Council (Image: Irasia Designs Architectural Services)

“It is considered that the addition of the extension will add some interest to the elevation and will have a positive impact on the character and appearance of the building and the street scene.

“A single, mature tree has been removed to make way for the extension.

“A landscaping condition has been added to secure some replacement planting to enhance the street scene.”

The building is a modern brick built church with a pitched slate roof and is bounded to the north by grassland and a wire mesh fence with the extension set to be near the junction of Brodick Drive and Moffat Close.

St Johns Evangelist Church in Breightmet (Image: Google Maps)

Most of the rest of the area is covered by housing and is a relatively short drive from Bolton town centre.

Church leaders first lodged the proposal to expand on Monday December 12 last year and the plans were put out by town hall officials for neighbourhood consultations until Monday January 2.

During that time, the council did not receive any letters from nearby residents or from the ward councillors who represent the area.

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The council’s highways officer was also consulted and reported no objections to the proposal, judging that it will not cause any danger to road users.

Having received no objections to the plans, council officers decided to approve them as long as certain conditions are abided by.

These include making sure that a replacement tree is planted on the site, to replace the one that was cut down to make room for the extension and making sure that the outside of the extension is the same colour and texture as the rest of the building.