A BRADFORD church that shut during the Covid pandemic could be demolished to make way for housing if a new planning application is approved.

Proposals to knock down Eccleshill United Reformed Church building and build five homes in its place have been submitted to Bradford Council by a property developer.

The church closed last June after its congregation dwindled to just eight worshippers on Sundays, and the building was put on the market shortly after.

At the time of the closure, church officials said closing the church had been a "difficult decision" but "a sad fact churches have to face, especially after Covid."

Churches across the UK were among the many public places that were forced to shut during the pandemic.

Now Masham Homes, which is based on Hustlergate in Bradford city centre, has revealed plans to demolish the church building and redevelop the site for housing.

Plan for new church in Bradford city centre is approved

If the planning application is approved, five, four bed, detached homes would be built on the site, which is near the junction of Victoria Road and Harrogate Road and in a residential area of Eccleshill.

The existing church building that is subject of the application was built in the 1960s in a more modern style, and much of the site is taken up by a large car park area.

The planned development would also also include private driveways to the new homes.

When the church was put up for sale last Summer a spokesperson for the United Reformed Church Yorkshire Synod said: “After nearly 200 years serving the Bradford community, the United Reformed Church is deeply sad to announce that Eccleshill URC has closed.

“There were around eight people that made up the congregation each Sunday who were increasing in age, and with a dwindling congregation they felt it best to bring their witness to an end.

"Therefore, at a church meeting it was agreed by a clear majority the church would close on June 9, 2021."

“The Rev Jamie Kissack, Moderator of the URC Yorkshire Synod, said: “Deciding to close has been a very difficult decision for the church to make, but it is a sad fact churches have to face, especially after Covid."

A decision on the application is expected to be made by Bradford Council next month.