More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A church building that once burned to a shell is going on auction for development into flats.
The former St Columba United Reformed Church in Dover has planning permission to be converted into 16 homes and is to go under the hammer at auction.
It is among 135 lots listed by Clive Emson, the land and property auctioneers, ahead of its next sale.
The freehold of the building, that dates from 1904, has a guide price of £450,000 to £500,000.
Jon Rimmer, auction appraiser, said: “This is a substantial building.
“The property has been damaged by fire but we understand it has been secured structurally.
“Permission is for a mix of one-bedroom flats, two-bedroom flats and two-bedroom maisonettes.
“Church conversions have become popular and they are by design statement buildings and often situated central to a town or village.
“This is a handsome building and we anticipate developers and builders being attracted to it.”
The church caught fire in September 2007 and got planning permission to be converted exactly 12 years later.
Also going under the hammer is a vacant shop premises over three floors in Priory Street, Dover.
There is potential to extend the first floor and turn the upper parts to residential accommodation if all necessary consents are obtainable.
The freehold has a guide price of £80,000 to £90,000.
Another lot is land at the back of Grove House in Wigmore Lane in Eythorne. It has permission for a detached house and has a freehold guide price of £90,000 to £95,000.
Bidding for this online auction begins on Monday, May 3, and the sale ends two days later.
For further details visit the auctioneers' website cliveemson.co.uk
