PLANS have been revealed to knock down a former church to make way for 11 homes.

Copeland Borough Council is set to decide on an application to demolish St Begas Roman Catholic Church on Whitehaven Road, Cleator Moor and replace it with 11 residential dwellings.

An outline planning application has been submitted to the council for approval - this means that further details such as access, layout, and scale are held back for future approval.

The application has been submitted by South North Crossings Limited of Greengate Business Centre, Oldham.

In their planning statement, the applicant said: "The former chapel has been vacant for several years and is an ideal urban infill site. The proposed development has been designed in consultation with Copeland Planning Department and Highways Department, to be sympathetic and complementary to the existing location."

The applicant believes the development would be an asset to Cleator Moor, removing a derelict building.

They said: "It is proposed to demolish the existing disused chapel building, that is no-longer fit for purpose, is in a poor state of repair and a visual eyesore to the area potentially attracting anti-social activity."

Following the demolition, eleven residential homes would be built comprising three bedroom semi-detached houses, three bedroom detached houses and four bedroom houses. The housing scheme is designed to be flood resistant.

Plans involve the construction of a new private access road along the edge of the site with each property featuring off-street parking.

A preliminary ecological appraisal has been carried out as part of the early application process, to ensure the demolition of the chapel would not have a detrimental effect on the local wildlife.

The applicant said: "The Preliminary Ecological Appraisal that includes a Bat Roost Assessment for the chapel building is included with this application.

"No evidence of Bats roosting within the Chapel building, or on the Site was found.

"No habitats of conservation concern were located on the site itself. Therefore, the proposed scheme of works will not impact upon any rare or valuable habitats."

The public can view and comment on all applications submitted in the area via the Copeland Borough Council planning portal.

To view planning applications and have your say visit: https://www.copeland.gov.uk/planning

The planning panel will take the public's comments of support or objection into account when they consider applications.