A FORMER church which is more than 100 years old will be knocked down and replaced with a new housing development despite objections.

Burnley Council’s planning committee has approved plans to demolish the former Life Church and Gannow Baths in Sycamore Avenue, Burnley, and build a ‘training centre’ and flats.

The application was made by Burnley’s Spacious Place Development Ltd, a group established more than 10 years ago to provide crisis support to vulnerable individuals and families.

The new development will include the building of five houses fronting onto Sycamore Avenue, together with 12 three-storey residential apartments and a new access road.

The first phase will include refurbishing the main hall of the former baths for potential use as a training facility, together with the building of three, two-storey houses.

The second phase will include the demolition of the existing former Life Church building and replacing it with a three-storey apartment block which will house 12 flats.

The former Gannow Baths building is a non-designated heritage asset and first opened in 1902.

Objections were raised from Burnley Civic Trust, the Canal and River Trust, who view the site as a key historic feature, and residents, who held a protest outside the baths soon after the application was submitted.

A Canal and River Trust spokesman said: “Demolition of the swimming baths and chimney could result in significant harm to the setting and appearance of the canal corridor.

“The swimming baths building and its chimney are key historic features when viewed from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.”

A spokesman for Burnley Civic Trust said: “Every attempt should be made to restore it to its former glory and use.”

Despite the concerns raised, councillors unanimously voted in favour of the plans.

At the meeting, ward councillor Mark Payne said: “The current swimming pool building has not been used for 14 years, it is deteriorating and is an eyesore.

“I have no issues with this and I think it would be a good thing for the area.”