Project description
The purpose of the project is to convert St. Paul's church to accommodate a number of inter-related, but individual projects under the management of the Groundwork Trust. The outline proposal will create a community resource space, (to be used for meetings, exhibitions workshops and training initiatives) and a number of workspaces. The workspaces will accommodate the Groundwork Trust (who are proposed as managing leaseholders) and a number of community projects. The project is part of the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB5) programme addressing the strategic themes of :
- Building Community Capacity - Strategic Theme 3.
- Creating an environment for investment - Strategic Theme 4.
The building
The landmark, grade II listed Church of St. Paul was built to accommodate 1800 worshippers, with a 25 metre (82 foot) tower visible across the Bury town centre. The building is located centrally in the 1.3 hectare churchyard. The grave markers have been removed and the grounds are managed as open space (mown grass) by Bury Council's ground maintenance. The fabric of the building and the former churchyard, in which it is located, are in a poor state and deteriorating due to lack of use, neglect and vandalism.
Progress to date
- A Planning Brief was prepared in 1997 which helped define issues and the potential of the building to accommodate a new use.
- In principle agreement has been established on the management and operational model for the centre between the Diocese and Groundwork.
- Groundwork have established expressions of interest, from a wide range of community and environmental bodies in order to ensure that the potential revenue funding will be available to sustain the running costs of the centre.
- A detailed architectural study has been completed which together with a Business Plan and Conservation Plan will form the basis of bids for the necessary capital funding.
Projected costs and funding arrangements
The project budget is £1,470,000 which will secure the repair and restoration of the structural fabric of the building and alterations to fit out the community development centre as well as provision of access and enhancement of the setting. Capital grant funding will be sought early in 2002 from the North West Development Agency, SRB5, Pilsworth Environmental Company, Heritage Lottery Fund, and Manchester Diocese.
Site management
The Diocese will retain freehold ownership of the building while granting a lease to the Groundwork Trust based on full management and maintenance responsibilities. The Groundwork Trust will then manage and maintain the Community Development Centre, in exchange for a peppercorn rent.
Revenue costs / funding
- The Community Development and Environment Centre will be self-financing with management and maintenance costs sustained by the Groundwork Trust and rental income received from accommodated projects.
- The grounds of the church.
- There should be no substantial revenue cost increase for Bury Council.
Outputs
As a major SRB5 project the proposed centre will facilitate extensive social and environmental improvement throughout the SRB5 area and will benefit a wide section of the community. In particular the principal outputs will be :
- Securing the sustainable reuse of a landmark (Grade II listed) building, currently a symbol of dereliction within the East Ward Regeneration Area.
- Securing the restoration and enhancement of some 1.3 hectares of open space enclosed by residential development.
- Creation of a new community facility, resource and training centre and a base for a range of environmental enhancement initiatives throughout the SRB5 area.
- Creating a centre for employment training projects aimed at the long-term unemployed.
- Enhancement of community safety by creating activity and supervision in and around the redundant building.
