Land (Residential) For Sale

An exceptional opportunity to acquire a Grade II listed former church of considerable architectural and historic interest, occupying a distinctive rural setting within the Forest of Bowland National Landscape and benefiting from a documented history of planning approval for residential conversion.

St Chad's Church presents a rare proposition for investors, developers and purchasers seeking a genuinely individual heritage project. Built principally in 1815, substantially restored and extended in 1904, and incorporating surviving fabric dating from circa 1300 and 1602, the building combines remarkable historic character with clear potential for sensitive adaptive reuse.

Previous planning permissions have established the principle of converting the former church into a single dwelling, including a scheme permitted in 2013 which proposed the creation of a substantial four-bedroom home arranged over two levels. These historic permissions have now expired and any future development will require the appropriate fresh planning and Listed Building Consents, but they provide valuable planning history for purchasers considering the building's future.

Key Features
- Grade II listed former church
- Traditional sandstone rubble construction beneath a slate roof
- Present building principally dating from 1815
- Incorporates surviving fabric believed to date from circa 1300 and 1602
- Significant 1904 restoration and extension
- Exceptional ecclesiastical architecture and internal volume
- Previous planning permission for conversion to a single dwelling
- 2013 approved scheme proposed a four-bedroom residence over two levels
- Previous scheme incorporated a new internal timber mezzanine whilst retaining the external appearance of the church
- Existing vehicular and pedestrian access identified within the previous planning scheme
- Previous scheme provided for two parking spaces
- Freehold
- Rural setting approximately 10 miles north-east of Lancaster
- Situated within the Forest of Bowland National Landscape
- Not within a Conservation Area
- An opportunity for residential or other sensitive adaptive reuse, subject to all necessary consents

Architecture and History

The architectural significance of St Chad's becomes immediately apparent on approach. Constructed principally from sandstone rubble beneath a pitched slate roof, the church retains the proportions, detailing and craftsmanship of its ecclesiastical origins.

Historic England describes an undivided nave and chancel beneath a continuous roof, together with a north aisle, porch and vestry added during the extensive restoration of 1904. Stone mullioned windows, pointed openings with Perpendicular tracery, a distinctive twin bellcote and the exposed form of the building all contribute to its strong Gothic character.

Of particular significance is the east window, believed to date from around 1300, providing a remarkable physical link to the earlier church which occupied the site. At the western end is a carved stone panel bearing the arms and initials of W. Croft and the date 1602, historically associated with the Croft family of nearby Claughton Hall and understood to have originated from their mortuary chapel in the earlier church.

Internally, the building retains the dramatic scale which makes former churches so compelling for conversion. Architectural features include a three-bay arcade with round piers and moulded capitals together with a boarded timber roof incorporating king-post trusses.

The result is a building whose history is visible within its fabric, with medieval elements sitting alongside early nineteenth-century construction and later Gothic Revival intervention.

Development Potential

For purchasers considering residential conversion, St Chad's benefits from an important planning history.
Planning permission and Listed Building Consent were granted in 2005 for conversion of the redundant church into a single dwelling, together with the construction of a stone garden store. That consent subsequently lapsed.

A further application was permitted in 2013, comprising change of use of the church to a single dwelling together with the associated Listed Building Consent.

The 2013 proposals envisaged a four-bedroom dwelling arranged over two levels, incorporating:
- Lounge/study
- Kitchen
- Dining room
- Bathroom
- Four bedrooms
- En-suite facilities
- A new timber mezzanine level
- Two parking spaces

Importantly from a heritage perspective, the revised 2013 scheme was designed to work largely within the existing envelope of the church, with the submitted Heritage Statement recording that no external alterations were proposed.

The previous consents have expired and are not being represented as an extant planning permission. A purchaser wishing to pursue residential conversion would therefore need to make a fresh application to Lancaster City Council and obtain all necessary planning, Listed Building and other statutory consents.
The building's scale, architectural character and location may also invite consideration of other forms of sensitive adaptive reuse. Purchasers considering commercial, leisure, hospitality, community, creative or other uses should make their own enquiries as to planning feasibility and any legal or heritage restrictions affecting their proposed use.

Setting and Location

St Chad's occupies a distinctive position on rising ground in the rural village of Claughton, approximately 10 miles north-east of Lancaster.
The setting forms an important part of the opportunity. Mature trees, traditional stone buildings and open countryside surround the site, with Claughton Beck running close to the eastern side of the church grounds and open land extending towards the west.

The immediate area possesses an unusually rich architectural history. Nearby heritage assets include Grade I listed Claughton Hall and Grade II listed Claughton Hall Farmhouse*, reinforcing the historic character of this part of the Lune Valley. Claughton itself appears in the Domesday Book as "Clactun", providing further context to a settlement whose history reaches back many centuries.

The property lies within the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, an area recognised for the quality of its countryside and rural character. At the same time, its position close to the A683 provides a practical connection towards Lancaster and the surrounding Lune Valley settlements.

For a developer, this combination is particularly unusual: a highly individual heritage building in a protected rural landscape, yet within convenient reach of Lancaster.

Services

Planning documentation prepared in 2013 stated that mains electricity, gas and water were available. The current status and precise location of connections have not been independently verified and purchasers should make their own enquiries with the relevant utility providers. The existing foul drainage arrangement has not been established. Purchasers should therefore investigate drainage requirements as part of their assessment of any proposed development.

Planning, Heritage and Legal Information

Tenure: Freehold
HM Land Registry Title: LAN48278
Listed Building: Grade II
Conservation Area: No
Local Authority: Lancaster City Council
Landscape Designation: Forest of Bowland National Landscape

Given the property's Grade II listed status, prospective purchasers should expect alterations affecting its special architectural or historic interest to require Listed Building Consent in addition to any other necessary planning permissions.

Planning References
2005 residential conversion:
05/01297/CU and 05/01298/LB
2013 residential conversion:
13/00367/CU and 13/00368/LB

Previous permissions have expired. References are supplied to enable interested parties to review the historic proposals and supporting documents and should not be interpreted as confirmation that an equivalent or alternative scheme would receive consent today.

St Chad's Church offers considerably more than an empty historic building. It is a recognised heritage asset with centuries of history embedded within its fabric, a striking rural setting and, crucially for prospective developers, an established history of residential conversion being accepted in principle. For the right purchaser, it represents the opportunity to give an extraordinary building its next chapter.