Former South Cambridgeshire village pub could become place of worship for Plymouth Brethren Christian Churches

A village pub in South Cambridgeshire village pub could be knocked down to make way for a new place of worship.

The Wheatsheaf, in Stow cum Quy, closed in 2019 and The Radegund Gospel Hall Trust is now seeking permission to build a one-storey building in its place for members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Churches in Cambridgeshire.

The trust said the new hall would offer a place for about 10 families to come and worship.

In planning documents submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council, it said: “At a time when church attendance in the established Church of England is in decline, many smaller and more informal denominations are experiencing growth.

“The Plymouth Brethren Christian Churches around Cambridgeshire is one such denomination which has experienced numerical growth.

“Within the Cambridgeshire area, this denomination currently has approximately 230 members.

“By delivering a new hall at the application site in the Stow-Cum-Quy area the trustees will be able to provide a much more local meeting hall for their members, and will be able to reduce the distances travelled for their members – delivering a much more sustainable option than the current situation.”

The plans said the denomination holds the independence of its churches “as a matter of high importance”.

It does not share its buildings with other uses and looks for detached buildings for a place of worship.

The documents state: “Demolition is considered as necessary because the conversion of this pub to a place of worship would be unviable for the group.

“The level changes within the building, the various extensions and structural changes and the need for structural supports would make a conversion to a hall challenging and would result in a compromised internal space.

“Moreover, the building has sustained significant damage as a result of a water leak in the loft over an extended period of time and this would be expensive and unviable to address for the proposed use.

“After considering all options, it has been considered that a demolition of the existing building is necessary in order to deliver the proposed use for a religious meeting hall.”

The trust said it recognised the redevelopment would mean the village has lost a pub building, but pointed out that it has been closed since 2019 and suggested the damage to the building reduced its viability.

The trust’s research showed part of the site had once contained a Methodist chapel, so noted its plans would return the land back to its historic use.