Unfortunately this was always one of the many potential outcomes resulting from opposition to the church's ambitions. They won't have their church, but they still own the building and probably need to get a return on their investment pretty quickly. I don't think they should be lambasted for trying to dig themselves out of the commercial hole in which they seem to have been landed in. Its questionable who has been trying to bully who to be honest and a salutory lesson for anyone campaigning against any particular use - you may end up with something less desirable entirely either by design or default.