A proposal to transform a former Methodist church in St Ives, Cornwall into a large-scale food venue has drawn significant opposition from local residents.
The United Methodist Community Church on Bedford Road has stood empty since 2023 following a decline in its congregation.
An applicant identified as T Symons has now submitted plans to convert the building into a food hall capable of accommodating 126 diners.
The proposed development would feature multiple food stations, a licensed bar, shared seating areas, toilet facilities and a dedicated play area for children.
The planning application was lodged last month and has generated considerable resistance from those living nearby, who have raised concerns about noise levels, vehicle parking, waste disposal and cooking odours.
Thomas Pryor, writing on Cornwall Council’s planning portal, registered what he described as his “strongest possible objection” to the scheme. He stated: “We purchased our property as a ‘forever home’, investing in this specific location due to its residential character and quiet environment.”
The United Methodist Community Church on Bedford Road has stood empty since 2023
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Mr Pryor argued the 126-cover commercial food hall represented “a gross over-intensification of use that the local infrastructure cannot support” and would “irrevocably destroy the residential amenity of our street.”
Fellow resident Juliet Middleton-Batts highlighted traffic and parking difficulties, noting the church sits surrounded by homes on all sides. She warned that deliveries outside the premises would cause severe congestion at the junction of Bedford Road and Chapel Street, an already busy location.
Ms Middleton-Batts also expressed concerns about noise from the food units, cooking fume extraction affecting neighbouring properties, and additional litter impacting the narrow lanes and nearby Trewyn Gardens.
She questioned whether such a large venue would prove viable, noting St Ives already possesses numerous restaurants, cafes and takeaways alongside three supermarkets.
The repurposing has drawn criticism
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Timothy Glews objected on the grounds that deconsecrated religious buildings in St Ives have traditionally been converted into artists’ studios, workspaces and galleries rather than catering establishments. He pointed out that residential properties sit so close to the church that one shares a party wall with the building.
Charlotte Watts raised concerns about land ownership, claiming the site plans show parking on land belonging to neighbouring properties at Sunday School Court and The Elms.
Ms Watts further alleged the applicants had failed to properly notify landowners of their planning intentions, claiming they had written to owners on 6 January stating there were “no plans” for the site.
Technical documents submitted with the application present a mixed picture. A noise assessment concluded sound impacts would fall within the “low impact” range and should not constrain planning approval.
However, an odour assessment classified the risk as “very high”, though the report stated this does not necessarily mean significant odour impact would occur.
The assessment indicated appropriate mitigation measures would be needed to reduce potential effects to acceptable levels.
The applicant maintains the proposal would preserve the heritage asset’s significant features whilst delivering economic benefits to small-scale enterprises.
Cornwall Council is yet to determine the application.