Developer plans appeal over landmark Doncaster church demolition

Surjit Duhre had hoped to demolish the Balby Road Methodist Church to build modern flats – but had to halt the scheme at the 11th hour after the building was given listed status after an application by the Victorian Society.

He said he received the call just before demolition work was due to start.

But now he says he has not yet given up on the plans and has an appeal hearing due later this week.

He said: “Things have moved on and I have an appeal due to be heard on Thursday.

“I’ve been told there are three ways it could go. It could remain grade two listed, it could be stepped up to grade one listed, or the listing could be lifted.

“If it was lifted, it would mean I could still build apartments. But if I don’t win the appeal I think I would have to look at selling it.”

“I was on top of the roof of the church when the telephone order came yelling at me to stop. I nearly fell off the roof. How unfair is that? All my plans have gone to pot. They should at least have consulted me, visited the site, or telephoned me.”

Granting listed status, Historic England gave four reasons why the building was of architectural interest. It added it was of historical interest because ‘the prominent location and exuberant appearance of the chapel demonstrates a pride and self-belief on the part of the aspirational, working-class congregation at a time when urban Doncaster was booming, driven primarily by the growth of engineering, particularly for the railways.’

Doncaster Council had previousy approved demolition. Its conservation officer had said the history of the site and building had some external features but internally little of interest remained, and said there was not likely to be interest in listing the building.

A planning application for the developer, who wants to build housing on the site, warned that with no current interest in the building itself, it could stand empty for years and fall into further disrepair.

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