Sell empty churches for housing to save Brighton's St Peter's
20 February 2007
Money could be raised to save St Peter’s Church, Brighton's central church, by selling off other redundant churches as a place of worship in the city to housing associations, say Green Party councillors on Brighton and Hove City Council.
At the same time, new affordable homes could be provided across the city, say the councillors.
“The city council should open talks immediately with the Chichester Diocese and local housing associations to see what can be done with St Peter’s and the other churches that are threatened with closure because of falling attendances,” said the Greens’ lead councillor on housing Bill Randall (pictured below).
“We asked for this three years ago, but our pleas fell on stony ground. Conversions already carried out in the city show what can be achieved, among them St Wilfrid’s in Elm Grove off Lewes Road, which is a listed art deco building that has been converted into flats. “By selling some of the churches to housing associations, the diocese could raise money to carry out work to St Peter’s, which is a Grade Two listed building and one of the city's treasures.”
Greens believe some of the large vicarages in Brighton and Hove could also be converted for housing and community use.
“Church-based housing associations have done this in other communities,” said Councillor Randall.
“There’s every reason why it should be done in our city, which faces an acute housing shortage and where every additional home can make a difference.”
Notes to editors:
For more information: contact Geoffrey Bowden Green Party Press Officer on 07958 682 683.[ENDS]
