RESIDENTS are being urged to make their views known on a plan to convert a derelict Penarth church into social housing and a community facility before time runs out.

Plans for St Paul's Church on Arcot Street have officially been submitted by Newydd Housing Association and the consultation ends next week (January 25).

The plans would involve the demolition of the existing building and the creation of 14 one and two bedroom affordable housing apartments and a 368 sq metre multi-purpose community hall with the front facade of the building maintained.

St Paul's Church Community Group, which has previously voiced its opposition to the plans, is urging residents to make their comments on the scheme by the deadline of Thursday, January 25.

They held a public meeting in October 2017 to discuss their concerns which relate to the design of the building and what they see as the minimisation of the community space element.

They've also raised concerns over the lack of consultation with residents over the future of St Paul's for the last six years and the fact that some of the apartments will be located in the back of a lane notorious for fly-tipping, which could jeopardise safety and wellbeing for future residents.

The building has been left abandoned since 2011 after Penarth Amateur Boxing Club and Penarth Gymnastics Club were forced to leave on health and safety grounds.

St Paul’s Church Shared Fitness Space Community Interest Company made an application to turn the building into a multi-purpose shared fitness space in 2015 but these were rejected by the Vale project board due to the lack of a viable business case.

In 2016, the council made the re-use of the building a key challenge and announced in February last year that it would be selling the land to one of its four registered social landlords to provide a mixed social housing and community facility with Newydd chosen as the preferred bidder.

Kate Stokes-Davies from the community group, and who lives near the church, said they want to see a scheme that works for everyone.

She said: "We know there are lots of views in the local community so now’s the time to add any comments or it’ll simply be too late.

"People want this be a development that works for everyone, not just solve a long-standing headache for the council.

"Penarth Heights area has seen very little benefit from the Section 106 money it generated, and this could be a chance to help put that right.

"But it desperately needs some real imagination from everyone involved.”

Simon Morris, property director for Newydd Housing Association commented: "The St. Paul’s Church development scheme not only brings a derelict building back into beneficial use through creating much-needed affordable homes for the area, but it will also create a communal hub that can be used by the local community.

"The views of the local community groups and residents have been considered during the consultation process and some changes have been made to the scheme’s design in response. The amended planning application is now due to be discussed by the Council in the coming weeks."