A LISTED building being used as a church will be turned back into a five-bedroom house.

Plans to convert Lindisfarne House in Barbourne have been given the go-ahead by Worcester City Council.

The two-storey detached villa in Barbourne Terrace was built as a house but has more recently been used as the home of City Church Worcester.

DOOR: A door on the east side of the house will be blocked upDOOR: A door on the east side of the house will be blocked up (Image: Glazzard Architects)

The church’s staff are based in the Grade II listed building, which hosts a number of regular events including toddler groups, bible study and art classes.

In making their decision, city planners had to weigh up the loss of this community facility against the provision of new housing.

They said: “The agent has advised that the church took the decision to vacate the premises as they were no longer required or able to be supported.

“The church will make use of rented accommodation, as and when required, to meet their needs.

HISTORIC: A view of Lindisfarne House in 1910HISTORIC: A view of Lindisfarne House in 1910 (Image: Glazzard Architects/Changing Face of Worcester, Haynes 1987:45, Wardle 2014:29)

“The loss of the use of the building as a community facility has therefore been justified and it is noted that the property would be returned to its original use as a dwellinghouse.”

Only one external change is proposed - blocking up a door on the eastern side of the house.

Inside, some partitions are set to be removed but in the main, the existing layout of the house will be used.

According to planning documents, the building dates back to 1850 and forms part of the St George’s Square conservation area.

TOWER: Lindisfarne House has a number of interesting architectural featuresTOWER: Lindisfarne House has a number of interesting architectural features (Image: Glazzard Architects/Changing Face of Worcester, Haynes 1987:45, Wardle 2014:29)

A design statement describes the house as being “one of the grandest houses in its day” and says it is one of the finest works of architect Henry Day, having been commissioned in the 1850s by Thomas Chalk.

“The special character of the building lies in its external appearance and internal features,” it says. “This is, however, lessened by the modern extension to the eastern side.”

Planners said converting the property back into a house would provide a good standard of accommodation for future occupiers, who would also benefit from “an existing garden of decent size”.