Plans unveiled for apartment conversion of church building

Plans have been revealed for the conversion of a grade II*-listed former church in Leeds, with the application similar to a previously consented scheme.The proposal relates to Mount St Mary’s Church in Richmond Hill which dates back to 1851.An application put together by Brewsters Bye envisages the demolition of the nave and aisles of the church, to make way for a modern contemporary extension. The chancel, transept areas and altars will be retained and restored. The church and its proposed extension will contain 62 apartments.The presbytery will also be demolished and replaced with a five-storey apartment block as in the original consent and will contain a further 113 apartments.According to a planning documents, the proposal retains the main principles of the approved application and builds on the architectural treatments so that it is sympathetic to the existing architecture of the church.Due to the parish population shrinking and the maintenance costs growing, the church closed in 1989 and was sold to a housing trust. Currently the building is vacant, supported by scaffolding and is in need of restoration.The applications, seeking planning permission and listed buildings consent, are made on behalf of Estate Aid Ltd and MSM (Leeds) Ltd. Planning consultancy Carter Jonas is working on the scheme.