Councillors to vote on Grimm & Co church move tomorrow after mixed reaction from public

AMBITIOUS plans for Grimm & Co to flit across town to larger premises in the former Talbot Lane Methodist Church will have to overcome concerns about alterations to the historic building when they go before councillors tomorrow.

The charity behind story-telling centre-cum-magical shop at the bottom of Doncaster Gate wants to move into and redevelop the disused church as a larger base for its workshops, with an on-site cafe and performance area as well as a larger shop.

Trustees are due to find out, perhaps appropriately, on Hallowe’en if a bid to the Arts Council for the lion’s share of the funds needed for the £1.5 million project has won approval.

But first there is the obstacle closer to home of convincing Rotherham councillors to lend their support in the face of a variety of objections, including one stating: “The proposed use of such a historical and heritage building is not appropriate as a witchcraft and magic theme park.”

Rotherham Council’s planning board will be called to consider the plans tomorrow due to the number of objections - 14 in all - lodged against Grimm & Co’s application.

They centre on the extensive changes proposed inside the church, including adding a first-floor across the middle of the high-roofed building.

Among the reasons stated are suggestions the vacant Primark unit on High Street should be used instead, concerns over road safety on Ship Hill, “lack of detail” over refurbishment and glazing, and that the church should be “protected from unnecessary development”.

One objector said the proposed outside works, includin a steel canopy over the entrance, would “almost completely obliterate the external character” of the church, while others were concerned its listed status would be affected.

Another said: “This building is to be so drastically modified — it will mean that no one will ever again see this place at its best. 

“Surely this historic building deserves to be preserved, for the future, in a way that allows people to appreciate the craftsmanship that has gone into producing this central landmark.”

While the plans allow for the font to be removed and a lift and “beanstalk” slide to be installed, orginal wood pannellling and timber features, including some of the church pews, would be preserved, along with the organ, pulpit and chancel.

Art Nouveau electroliers, which hang from the ceiling holding electric lamps, would also be kept, as would the basement and original ceiling, the application said, while measures would be taken to reduce the impact on the existing walls.

Planning documents, which note the church closed after a fall in attendances, said that “a high level of aesthetic quality is paramount” to the project.

Grimm & Co founder trustee Deborah Bullivant acknowledged objectors’ concerns in her supporting statement and said the charity would work with Rotherham Civic Society to help preserve significant features.

She said she had sympathy with those bemoaning the loss of the church bur added: “We believe the benefit to Rotherham, its reputation, its community and its next generation is timely and also far outweighs the impact of the scheme, which we will work on to reduce any negative impact on the building. 

“Grimm & Co is already working with over 3,600 children and young people per year and expect to be able to increase this as we have a waiting list for our provision that we are not currently able to service. 

“The scheme will also enable us to undertake more intensive work with vulnerable children and young people and to widen this to families and older members of the community. 

“This scheme will also provide an exciting new story destination for the town that celebrates reading and writing and will bring much needed positive publicity, helping to change perceptions of Rotherham to that of truly being a child friendly borough. 

“Our community will have a resource to be proud of, providing a level of ownership and value. 

“We will do all that we can to preserve the building’s history wherever possible. 

“However, inevitably, in order to be able to offer teaching and learning, and to make sure we are able to make everyone welcome, we will need to make changes.

“The architects have explored ways of protecting the main features and re-using materials whilst improving the repair of the building and its systems, such as repairs needed to the roof and the heating, so that the Rotherham skyline does not lose an important building through decay and neglect. 

“The designs proposed for the external element of the building do not impact on the fabric of the building as they are free-standing. 

“I have great empathy for the majority of those who have objected on the basis of their disappointment at losing a church in which they have worshipped for many years. 

“It must have been heartbreaking to realise that this church was no longer sustainable and would have to go onto the market to be sold. 

“However, maintaining as a church does not seem a viable option and its sale looks inevitable so I do hope that objectors can be soothed by the knowledge that Grimm & Co’s intentions are honourable, charitable, altruistic and progressive.

“We are doing our very best to keep Grimm & Co in the heart of Rotherham, allowing the positivity of Rotherham’s young generations to shine through the negative force field on the town. 

“This is a great opportunity to create a world class visitor centre that our communities can be proud of.”

A planning report prepared for tomorrow’s meeting notes there have been ten indications of support, with one saying the new centre would be “a worthy use of a building that would otherwise be left to deteriorate” and another calling it “great for the town, great for children”.