Funds raised to buy church ahead of theatre plan

A campaign to raise money to buy and convert a Sheffield church that has stood empty for about 15 years has reached its £100,000 target.

The overall price to buy Trinity Methodist Church in Woodhouse is £125,000, with the building's current owner pledging £25,000.

The Woodhouse and District Community Forum (WDCF) said in May it had six months to raise the cash, as part of its plan to create a community theatre and social space.

The group said it had raised £40,000, with funding also approved from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

The CIL is a planning charge, introduced by the Planning Act 2008 as a tool for local authorities in England and Wales to help deliver infrastructure that supports development in their area.

Jack Taylor, chairman of the WDCF and Darnall Musical Theatre Company (DMTC), said: "Our community has worked so hard to raise £40,000 in just five months, and the funding approved by our Woodhouse ward councillors means we can now move towards purchasing Trinity."

Local councillors Mick Rooney and Alison Norris said in a joint statement: "We have been working on getting a constructive use for Trinity Methodist Church since 2023.

"Residents made it clear in the 'Putting the Heart back in Woodhouse' consultation that a big priority is regenerating the village centre."

The purchase is still to be completed, but the proposals will be developed subject to the necessary surveys, permissions and further funding.

WDCF and DMTC will continue fundraising for the next stages, including the work needed to restore and adapt the building.

"There is still a great deal of work ahead, but we are closer than ever to bringing Trinity back to life," Taylor said.

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