Demolition plan for ‘potentially dangerous’ Shrewsbury church

A disused 1960’s-era church with “dangerous” cracking issues is set for demolition under new plans lodged this week.

Construction on Our Lady of Pity Church, which occupies a 15,000 sq ft site in the residential Harlescott area of Shrewsbury, was completed in 1961, but closed during the Covid19 pandemic in 2022 and has been gently decaying ever since.

The building was designed by prominent post-war church architect F.X Velarde, who also designed the grade one-listed St Monica’s in Bootle, Merseyside, and was completed after his death in 1960.

Applicant, the Diocese of Shrewsbury, says structural cracking throughout the building has rendered the church potentially dangerous, and now plans to knock down the building and make the site available for reuse. It says the cost of repairing the church, including fixing cracks to the brickwork in the six masonry arches which span the width of the building’s main hall, is likely to be substantial.

The site could now potentially be sold off for re-use, if demolition plans are approved.

Following a consultation launched by the diocese in March 2024, Bishop of Shrewsbury Rt Rev Mark Davies published a formal decree that the site be deconsecrated and “relegated to profane but not sordid use”.

A supporting statement prepared by consultants Cunliffes, submitted with the proposals lodged with Shropshire Council this week, added that the condition of the site was such that high winds or bad weather could render it dangerous to the public if it was allowed to remain.

“The building of the former church is no longer within condition in which it can be used safely and no longer has a use within the existing community in which it lies to justify the required repair to make the building safe again,” said the statement.

“If it is allowed to dilapidate any further the building could be of danger to people, vehicles and other buildings within proximity if any of it were to fall or break off during high winds or a storm.

“Due to the Archdiocese of Shrewsbury’s resources, it is deemed that demolition of the building and for the site to be reused would be more beneficial to the local community and those surrounding the site.”

A decision on the plans will be made by Shropshire Council’s planning department in due course.

Plans and documents relating to the application can be found on the council’s planning portal under reference: 25/03976/DEM