This is incredible. We  have now amassed 500 petition signatures! That is a fantastic display of community support behind this campaign, and I thank you all, sincerely for expressing your sentiments on this issue. It is much appreciated. And for the 250 people who signed this petition since my last update, thank you so much, but I really need your help. I'll cut to the chase...I need you to lodge objections to the council regarding this planning application.

PLEASE NOTE THE LAST DAY TO LODGE AN OBJECTION IS WED 1st APRIL 2026. SO TIME IS OF THE UTMOST URGENT ESSENCE. 
THIS DEADLINE DATE IS NOW 21st-24th APRIL 2026.

*UPDATE*

I previously said that Wed April 1st 2026 was the deadline to do this, however yesterday, after a lengthy conversation with Wyre Council planning authority, I asked about what time they shut the website comments off later that day, and strangely they said that the 1st of April was more of an aim, rather than a mandated rule. So I probed further to ask if people can still lodge objections after this date, and they said 'YES', however only up until the target date for the planning application hearing which is Wed 21st-24th April 2026.

So in a strange fortuitous twist of misunderstanding, it means that we have a little bit more time,  At the time I send this email to you, it means we have only 6 days remaining, to lodge more objections in. 
I sent you an update when we hit 100 signatures, and then at 250 signatures, and since then we now have 250 more signatures, bringing us to a grand total of 500 signatures!. So this update is more for the newer objectors to the development, whom wish to save the church from demolition.

So anyway, let's get to the crux of the matter. In just 6 days, YOU can still make an enormous impact by submitting an objection to this development, by clicking the council website link below:

https://publicaccess.wyre.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=TA93D4SDN4C00

This beautiful building has over 100 years of community and religious history to it, and therefore is historically and culturally important. The 20th Century Society regard this building as architecturally important and they deem it to be a Non Designated Heritage Asset ( NDHA ). I happen to agree.

The best way forward:
If we can convince the council planning commitee that this building IS architecturally and historically important, and that it should be regarded as a NDHA, then it forces the council into a position where they have to weigh up the decision to demolish a valued heritage asset, VS the community gain from a convenience store that replaces it.

*There are other factors to consider... the health risks to the community by demolishing an old building constructed using asbestos material, releasing Asbestos dust in the air. This building is safer being left alone, with none of that risk.

*WYRE council previously agreed to Net Zero aims, yet the environmental impact of demolishing a huge old building, the clearing of the land, and the construction of the new building, surely undermines the council's Net Zero aims, with great harm to the environment.

*Then there is the traffic pressure issue. The proposed development will also increase traffic pressure at the traffic lights and into the residential streets nearby. It may also incur parking problems if shoppers struggle to find a parking space, and results in shoppers parking outside resident's houses.

I feel sorry for the residents of West Drive West, West Drive, Beach Ave, Ryden Ave & Rossall Road. They are going to get cars parking outside their houses if that car park is full. Which it will do given how few car parking spaces there are. I suspect that will cause a massive parking congestion problem. Then there's the anti-social behaviour problem risk from undesirables hanging around outside shops as well as the subsequent noise concerns.  Then there's the extra traffic entering and exiting around that crossroads. Delivery access problems also. 
When traffic slows down on Rossall Road, with more congested pressure at the traffic lights, this makes it harder for emergency service vehicles to pass through at speed.

These are just some arguments, but I'm sure you may have your own also.

Anyway I've pretty much said all I can say for now. If I have any more updates, I shall let you know.
Regards, and enjoy the rest of your day,

Ian French
( Petition creator )