THANK YOU FOR SIGNING! We have recently surpassed 750 signatures, and the petition is still growing! THANK YOU to the new 250 people who have signed the petition since the last update at 500 signatures. Your support is so much appreciated. People power is an amazing thing when we all group together to make our voices heard in opposition against a controversial, and destructive proposal. BUT THERE IS STILL MORE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, and this is where YOU can help.
Breck Homes / Breck Holding's proposal to demolish the Cleveleys United Reformed Church is an incredibly destructive proposal, and causes irreparable harm to the identity of Thornton-Cleveleys streetscape, and will suffer a huge blow in losing a valued heritage asset building. Cleveleys URC is so valued and respected, it has been classed as a Non Designated Heritage Asset ( NDHA ) by The 20th Century Society, and Wyre council's conservation officer.
NEW UPDATE: In recent days, the church has now also been recognised as an NDHA worthy of conserving, by other organisations such as the British Council of Archaeology., The Amenity Society, as well as Historic Buildings & Places.
Due to mass public opposition, mostly from local residents, and people in the region, as well as from others from the UK, the council have been overwhelmed with receiving many letters of objection from the public. Because of this, the Council have had to expand the public consultation time period in order to read through these objections and log them, and have changed the decision date twice. It is now targeted for decision on Friday the 12th June 2026.
In case you had not seen it recently in the local news media, Breck Homes played a very underhand manoeuvre recently and sent in a subcontracted demolition crew to strip out the interior of the church. It appears to be a tactic known as 'Demolition by Attrition'. Demolition by Attrition, is a method that degrades a building's heritage status, to assist later in trying and influence the council's decision to sway in favour of demolition. That is how this action could be perceived to be taken as.
The planning application to demolish the church (26/00116/FUL) is still live and undecided.
This is an important stage, because members of the public can still submit objections to Wyre Council. Strong planning objections can make a real difference.
If you have already lodged your objections to the council then THANK YOU SO MUCH. It is truly invaluable to ensure the council hears our gripes against their proposal, and they can't do that unless we submit them directly to Wyre Borough council's planning team.
But if you haven't done so already, then we have a tight timeframe where you can tell the council of your objections. WE HAVE UNTIL Friday 12th JUNE 2026 TO DO SO.
SO TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE TO ACT NOW, WHILST THERE ARE ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT.
Below are some examples of planning-related concerns people may wish to raise in their own words when objecting.
IMPORTANT:
Use your own wording where possible.
Keep comments polite and factual.
Focus on planning concerns rather than personal attacks.
EXAMPLE OBJECTION POINTS:
• The church has already been recognised as a Non-Designated Heritage Asset (NDHA) by both the Council’s Conservation Officer and the Twentieth Century Society.
• The building contributes positively to the identity and character of Cleveleys and should not be lost without exceptional justification.
• The church has architectural and historic significance which has not been properly outweighed by the proposed demolition.
• The application does not sufficiently justify the permanent loss of a recognised heritage asset.
• Demolition would cause irreversible harm to the local historic environment and townscape.
• The church remains structurally prominent and visually important within the area.
• Greater consideration should be given to retention, reuse, restoration, or community-led alternatives before demolition is approved.
• The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that the effect of applications on heritage assets should be properly considered, including Non-Designated Heritage Assets.
• Concerns have already been raised regarding apparent “demolition by attrition” occurring before the application has even been decided.
• Reports and evidence have already been submitted alleging that internal demolition and deterioration works have taken place prior to planning permission being granted.
• The Council should carefully consider whether allowing deterioration before determination risks prejudicing the fairness and integrity of the planning process.
• A planning applicant should not benefit from avoidable deterioration or premature demolition activity occurring while an application remains undecided.
• There are also public safety concerns relating to the condition and management of the site.
• The church should be properly assessed for its heritage significance before irreversible demolition is permitted.
• Once demolished, the loss of the building can never truly be reversed.
• Retaining and reusing existing buildings is often more environmentally responsible and sustainable than demolition and new-build replacement.
• Demolition and redevelopment would also create significant environmental impacts as well as health risks to the public, through waste generation, material disposal, heavy construction activity, and the embodied carbon and Asbestos fibre release associated with demolishing and rebuilding structures.
• Demolition activity and major redevelopment can also create avoidable public safety concerns, including dust, debris, structural risks, heavy machinery movements, and disruption to the surrounding area.
• Greater consideration should be given to retention, reuse, restoration, or community-led alternatives before demolition is approved.
• A viable alternative reuse approach for the church has already previously been approved by Wyre Council under an earlier planning application in 2022. This demonstrates that conservation-led reuse of the building is achievable and realistic, and that demolition is not the only option available.
• Because viable reuse options have previously been accepted in principle, demolition appears unnecessary and disproportionately extreme.
• There are concerns regarding the noise impact demolition and redevelopment works may have on neighbouring homes and nearby public buildings, including the local library.
• Demolition works could generate prolonged noise, vibration, dust, and disturbance affecting nearby residents and public services.
• Concerns should also be considered regarding future operational noise if the site is redeveloped for commercial or industrial-style servicing activity.
• This includes potential noise from HGV loading and unloading, reversing alarms, industrial bin collection, waste compactors, forklift movements, delivery operations, and other servicing machinery operating close to neighbouring properties.
• Such operational activity may negatively affect residential amenity, public quiet enjoyment, and the nearby library environment.
• Increased heavy vehicle movements may also raise traffic safety and congestion concerns in the surrounding area.
If you wish to object, please submit your comments directly to Wyre Council, quoting planning application:
26/00116/FUL
✅ MOST IMPORTANTLY: Lodge your objection with Wyre Borough Council before Friday 12 Jun 2026:
Via the council's Planning portal:
https://publicaccess.wyre.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=TA93D4SDN4C00
OR you can also lodge your objection via email, at: planning@wyre.gov.uk
PLEASE DO THIS NOW WHILST IT'S FRESH IN YOUR MEMORY. We only have until the 12th of June to do this, so IT IS A MATTER OF URGENCY.
Please continue sharing the petition and raising awareness. Public pressure and public participation matter. Please email it to your MP also.
Thank you again to everybody supporting the campaign to save Cleveleys URC Church. I will keep you posted with more updates when the time is appropriate.
Regards,
Ian French
( Petition creator )