Hatfield Church re-opens after demolition plans stall

PLANS to demolish a church and build houses have been put on hold indefinitely because of the economic downturn. And with no prospect of work beginning anytime soon, church staff are moving back in to the building they vacated last year. Since autumn, Bir

PLANS to demolish a church and build houses have been put on hold indefinitely because of the economic downturn.

And with no prospect of work beginning anytime soon, church staff are moving back in to the building they vacated last year.

Since autumn, Birchwood Methodist Church, in Birchwood Avenue, Hatfield, has been empty in preparation for work to begin on building five three bedroom homes on the land.

Full planning permission - which would include building a new, smaller church on the site - was granted two weeks ago.

But in the face of collective belt-tightening from companies across the country, finding a developer to undertake the scheme has proved difficult.