We've now hit over 1000 Signatures! THANK YOU for your support!
Hello,
We have hit 1000 signatures, and the petition to 'SAVE the Cleveleys United Reformed Church from DEMOLITION!' is still growing. Currently at the time of this update, we have 1011 signatures from members of the public like yourself, who have expressed not just concern for this lovely Church under threat, but also show opposition to the threat of demolition and loss of the Church. Your signature shows Wyre Council Planning team that you value this Church and you want it to still exist, and I thank you for your support.
History on the Church;... The Cleveleys United Reformed Church ( Formerly known as 'Cleveleys Congregational Church' ) was made up of an intended vision by the Congregationalists and the first Architect, Edward Percy Briggs F.R.I.B.A, back in 1921 to create the Chapel as the first phase, and other phases would then follow later. In 1931 the foundation stone was laid for the new Church hall as the intended second phase, which completed construction in 1932, to the design by Daniel Wynne Thomas F.R.I.B.A, of the Bolton architectural practice 'Wynne Thomas & Button' ( Daniel Wynne Thomas & Charles Button F.R.I.B.A ).
To give you a bit of background story;... Daniel Wynne Thomas is a highly acclaimed, yet long forgotten architect, who's works included Lostock Open Air School in Bolton, Castle Hill School in Bolton, Barclays Bank in Deansgate Bolton ( locally listed ), The TA Derby Barracks in Bolton, the Memorial Chapel inside St John the Evangelist Church in Preston ( now known as Preston Minster. Grade 1 listed ), as well as the North Wales Heroes Memorial on the University of Bangor's campus ( Grade 2 listed ).
Daniel Wynne Thomas was a widely respected architect, and at the peak of his career in 1922 and 1923, won an architectural competition judged by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, who chose Wynne Thomas's design as the winner, out of forty other design entrants*.
Sir Giles Gilbert Scott then praised Wynne Thomas's design approach, saying " the design is refined, scholarly, and displays architectural sense of style superior to the forty other designs sent for open competition. Its simplicity and restraint produces a dignity in keeping with the purpose of the memorial, and the contrasts between plain surface and enrichment are effective". In 1923, Wynne Thomas's design was then built under his watchful eyes as Architect observing the construction of the North Wales Heroes Memorial, and it was later opened by HRH Prince of Wales ( Later King Edward VIII ) with Wynne Thomas presenting the key to the Prince to open the door to the memorial, in front of 15,000 people in attendance*.
*https://manchestervictorianarchitects.org.uk/buildings/north-wales-heroes-memorial-bangor
*North Wales Weekly News - Thursday 08 November 1923
"the design is refined, scholarly, and displays architectural sense of style", "simplicity and restraint", and "contrasts between plain surface and enrichment are effective", are re-occurring design language that displays across most of Wynne Thomas's other works, including Cleveleys Congregational Church. The very same design language that Sir Giles Gilbert Scott originally given as praise.
Why this is relevant;... This Church was clearly not designed by just a mere average architect. It's an important work ( the only surviving example of a church designed by a highly praised architect, displaying the same design language praised by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott ). For this reason among others, this Church is architecturally significant!.
Cleveleys United Reformed Church has now been added to SAVE Britain's Heritage's 'Buildings At Risk' register for 2026 ( also know as 'The BAR' ), which can be found here: https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/buildings-at-risk/building/the-united-reform-church-cleveleys
SAVE Britain's Heritage's Buildings at Risk Register identifies important historic buildings across the UK that are considered to be at risk from neglect, unsuitable development or demolition. It includes both listed and unlisted buildings that are judged to have significant architectural or historic value.
The register aims to raise awareness of threatened buildings and encourage their repair, reuse and long-term conservation. Although inclusion does not provide legal protection, it represents recognition by a respected national heritage organisation that a building is considered worthy of preservation and deserves serious consideration before being altered or demolished.
To wrap this up;...
If you wish to submit objections to the application 26/00116/FUL , then you can do so here:
Wyre Council Planning Application Public Comments. I think the council neeed to be reminded of just how important this church actually is!.
There is a lot of things happening behind the scenes of the petition, and once again, I thank you for your signature of support for the Church, as well as your opposition to its proposed demolition.
Yours sincerely,
Ian French
( Petition creator )