PLANS to convert a former church building into supported living apartments have been drawn up.

Proposals for the change of use of the vacant Christ Church Haydock United Reform Church, on West End Road, have been sent to council planners.

The application seeks permission to create 11 self-contained one-bedroom apartments, with some external alterations to the building and grounds.

The church was founded in 1891 as Haydock Congregational Church and has served the community for more than a century, a heritage statement in the plans says.

This adds that in 2020, the church, "faced with escalating maintenance costs" decided to sell the main church building and convert its Sunday School hall into the new main church building.

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A design and access statement in the plans, prepared by agents Architecture Julien Denis, on behalf of applicant Loxton Dolby Developments, says: "It is proposed to create 11 new residential units into the existing church building without any significant alterations to the external appearance of the building.

"A small car park for four vehicles is proposed at the front of the church building for use by visitors and staff.

"In light of the fact that the proposal is for supported housing, with a lower demand for car parking, it is anticipated that a provision of less than 50 per cent car parking is adequate in support of the proposal."

Plans add that "external amenity space is to be provided for use by the residents in the form of a landscaping proposal totalling 180m2 (excluding the car park and front of house areas) with a variety of soft landscaping and hard finishes being proposed."

The statement says there will be "minimum alterations to the external appearance of the existing building" and "it is proposed that the existing stained-glass windows will be retained."

Plans conclude: "The new units created will provide much-needed new C3 use class housing for use as supported living accommodation."

The planning application is on standard consultation to the public until Thursday, August 15.

Council planners are expected to decide on the application by October 16.