AN HISTORIC Farnworth church is to remain standing after town hall planners decreed there was no justification for it to be demolished.

Planning bosses first dealt with a request by Farnworth Baptist Church to demolish their existing Market Street and replace it with a new building in November 1999.

At that time members of the planning committee deferred any decision on the future of the Grade Two Listed building to enable the applicants to provide more information justifying its removal.

But members heard that, despite the time that has elapsed, there had been little progress on the issue and no more information had been forthcoming from the church or their agents.

In 1995 the church assessed the state of the building as "beyond economic repair" but wanted to keep the site with a new church building being the preferred option.

But the report states that a design brief has been prepared which suggest alternate uses for the building including offices or residential use.

The report says: "The building is structurally sound and is generating interest for alternative use. The loss of a Listed Building and its replacement with a new church is considered contrary to national and local policy and is therefore unacceptable."

A total of 90 residents objected to the move and English Heritage and the Ancient Monument Society both voiced the opinion that their is little justification for the building to be bulldozed.

The church is part of a circle of listed buildings in Farnworth including the library, town hall and Cenotaph.

The report to the planning committee stated: "Farnworth Baptist Church forms an important feature in the street scene in this area of Market Street. It makes a significant contribution to the character of the area.

"The loss of this building would adversely affect the character of this part of Farnworth."

Members of the committee voted to reject the application to demolish the church.