I am pleased to announce another major development in the campaign to save Cleveleys United Reformed Church from demolition. The Cleveleys United Reformed Church is currently subject to an ACV nomination ( Assets of Community Value ) submitted to Wyre Council ( submitted and awaiting determination ).
📢 THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER IMPORTANT UPDATE:
I have recently been informed by the Conservation Officer that the older historic section of Cleveleys Library is also recognised on the NDHA list. The older part of the library ( NDHA ) is the church's 'next door neighbour' in close proximity.
This is hugely significant.
It means that Cleveleys URC and the older part of Cleveleys Library together form a recognised historic civic grouping and identity townscape.
In heritage and planning terms, this is often referred to as “civic clustering” — where historically and architecturally important civic buildings collectively contribute toward the wider character, identity and significance of an area.
This further strengthens the argument that this part of Cleveleys possesses the characteristics associated with conservation area significance and historic townscape value.
So this is no longer simply about one isolated building.
It is increasingly becoming recognised as part of a wider historic civic setting and heritage grouping within Cleveleys town centre.
This campaign therefore continues to gain significant momentum.
THE CAMPAIGN TO SAVE CLEVELEYS UNITED REFORMED CHURCH FROM DEMOLITION HAS RECEIVED ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT BOOST.
SAVE Britain’s Heritage — one of the UK’s leading national conservation organisations — has now formally objected to planning application 26/00116/FUL.
This is extremely important.
SAVE, one of the UK’s best-known heritage protection organisations, specialises in protecting historic buildings and places across the country. Their objection adds significant national-level weight to the growing heritage concerns surrounding this proposal.
In their objection, SAVE states:
👉 “SAVE considers the demolition proposed to be a disproportionate approach which cannot satisfy the balancing exercise of NPPF 216.”
They further conclude:
👉 “Demolition would cause substantial harm to an NDHA and therefore contravenes local and national planning policy for the protection of Wyre’s historic environment.”
SAVE has also recognised the strength of public feeling surrounding the church and specifically referenced the Save Cleveleys URC petition, which now has over 800 signatures supporting retention of the building.
Importantly, their objection also raises climate and sustainability concerns.
SAVE argues that:
👉"demolition of the church would result in substantial embodied carbon loss and conflict with paragraph 161 of the National Planning Policy Framework, which encourages the reuse and conversion of existing buildings rather than unnecessary demolition."
This is another very important point in the campaign.
Not only is Cleveleys URC now recognised as a Non-Designated Heritage Asset, but there is also growing recognition that demolishing reusable historic buildings is environmentally harmful and increasingly contrary to modern sustainable planning principles.
SAVE Britain’s Heritage has recommended that Wyre Council refuse the application.
Combined with:
• NDHA recognition
• inclusion on the Lancashire Historic Environment Record (HER)
• support from multiple national heritage organisations
• substantial public objections and widespread campaign media coverage
• the newly submitted ACV nomination
• evidence of viable adaptive reuse models
• and over 800 petition signatures ( new additional signature list will be submitted before the Friday decision deadline )
…the case for protecting Cleveleys URC continues to strengthen significantly.
This campaign is proving that Cleveleys URC is not an insignificant or disposable building.
It is a recognised heritage asset, a valued community landmark, and a building with realistic future reuse potential.
⏳ FINAL PUSH — TIME IS RUNNING OUT
Friday 12th June 2026 is now only THREE DAYS AWAY.
This may be one of the final opportunities for members of the public to submit objections to planning application 26/00116/FUL before Wyre Council reaches its decision.
For those of you who have already submitted your objections, I sincerely thank you all. It is much appreciated and your effort is integral to the campaign.
HOWEVER for those of you who have recently added your signature to the petition, I thank you for doing so, but there is more to be done...
If you care about:
• heritage
• community identity
• architectural history
• or saving important community buildings from unnecessary demolition
PLEASE object now while there is still time.
Strike while the iron is hot.
Every objection matters.
Planning Application:
26/00116/FUL
Submit objections here:
https://publicaccess.wyre.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=TA93D4SDN4C00
Thank you once again to everybody continuing to support this campaign. Fingers crossed that on Friday we hear good news.
Regards,
Ian French
(Petition Creator)
#SaveCleveleysURC
#SAVEBritainsHeritage
#HeritageMatters
#StopTheDemolition
#Cleveleys
#CommunityAsset