Hello all,
Seem to remember on this site someone (Grindlay?) saying that the old church/nursery/meeting room on Beadnell Road was something special. Anyway, walked past today and there is planning permission requested for demolition. A new 5 storey church is planned in its place.

Anyone know any more?

It was a church, hoppy, but when built in 1901 it was The Forest Hill Creche. It became the Forest Hill Christian Spiritual Church by 1925 until sometime after WW2.

It's still a fairly nice hall, and I really don't understand why a church needs to be five stories high:

A 5 storey Church?

Planning Application - True Christ Church

Does anyone else feel like we live in an episode of Torchwood? Is there some 'rift' around here generating spiritual energy that makes Forest Hill particularly attractive to churches of all sorts?

Whilst I approve of people going to church ( I am sure The Reverend would agree ) , 5 story's for a church. What can be possibly going on.
Also I have noticed for a number of these ( new ) churches most of the flock seem to arrive by car and parking becomes a real problem. See station end of Devonshire Rd on a Sunday morning.
Seems all the neighbours have raised objections.
I would not object to the music but possibly the parking. Also the one in Devonshire Road closed a public footpath. I raised at the time and no one seemed to think it was legal but happened anyway

Seal the rift!

Planning permission has been given to demolish it and erect two houses on the site and it's being sold for silly money.

It's a shame this can't be saved, it's a nice building but currently it really lets the whole road down.

It could be a really interesting, exciting property. Anyone know what it was like inside or what the rear gardens are like?

It does seem a shame not to keep the building. I drive past there whenever I go to Shannon's garden centre, and always thought it looks quite handsome, would make a perfect conversion for someone with a hand at keeping the character. Especially since a few of the other buildings around that stretch of the road are being refurbished now.

I don't know what the hall is like inside, but the rear gardens at this end of Beadnell Road are quite long. The rear 'garden' to the hall looks pretty overgrown.

Maybe a good place for a Dominos?

Two new houses are definitely better than a five storey church anyway! It's a real shame not to keep the building though. I would have thought converted churches are more sellable than a new build but no doubt it's a more expensive solution for a property developer.

Looks like it will be knocked down and turned into two 4 bed houses for £450 grand a pop.

It's under offer.

They will have to build them cheaply. It's a lot of money for the site.

Shame.