Council begins long church demolition process
A derelict church in Barrow has been earmarked for demolition, but the local authority has warned residents that the process could take as long as a year.
The old Presbyterian Church in School Street is to be demolished by Barrow Borough Council, but they have to purchase it first - and that process is not likely to be an easy one.
J E Blackshaw Ltd, the owners of the church, officially absolved themselves of responsibility for the upkeep of the church in 2009, leaving it "bona vacantia" - the legal term for not having an owner. Barrow Council is in talks with Blackshaw representatives to see about having the church officially passed on to them, but the most likely route to redevelopment will be through an application to the Duchy of Lancaster, which is legally responsible for the property, to have the church disclaimed.
The council's head regeneration officer, Phil Huck, said they wanted to get on with bringing the demolition contractors in as soon as possible, but there was a lot of red tape to get through first.
He said: "The borough has paid for the scaffolding costs for three years and there is every incentive to demolish the property which is an eyesore and occupies a highly-prominent position within the town centre.
"The process by which the crown disclaims the property vested in it is long and complex and can take up to 12 months, though I am confident the property will eventually be disclaimed with the freehold passing to the Crown Estate."
