A PRIEST who covers the South Barrow area has spoken of his delight after a decaying church, which had been abandoned for four years, was finally given the green light to be transformed into sheltered homes for adults with disabilities.

St Luke's Church, in Roose Road, Barrow, hasn't been used for regular services since 2008 when structural problems and high maintenance bills forced it to close. A special final service was held outside the church in February 2012.

Barrow Borough Council's planning committee has now unanimously agreed for the site to be demolished so that new housing comprising of 16 one-bedroom apartments and a single-storey bungalow can be built.

Canon Gary Cregeen, who has been the team rector of South Barrow for four-and-a-half years and is responsible for leading services in churches in the parish, was thrilled to hear that the redevelopment had been granted by the council.

He said: "Now that the planning permission has come through it means that we can now proceed with the sale as soon as next week, money from which will go towards improving St George's Church in Lonsdale Street.

"Buildings, such as St Luke’s hold a special place in people’s lives and while its deterioration is a sad visible reminder of what was a special place for many people across the community, it’s great to know that the St Luke’s site is going to be used to benefit the community and be a means of blessing to those who will live in the new accommodation that will be provided.

The church was previously owned by the diocese of Carlisle and the parochial church of St George with St Luke, however, the building has now been sold to HB Villages, who will develop homes which are specifically designed for vulnerable adults with learning and physical disabilities.

Mr Cregeen admitted that the closure of the church had caused a lot of "pain, hurt and anger," but was glad that the redevelopment would help disabled adults in the community.

He said: "HB Villages were originally going to build 12 houses on the land but I knew after listening to local people that they wanted something which would contribute to the community.

"From a financial point of view, building all those houses could have been very lucrative but it was never about the money, it was about giving something back to the parish."

St Aidan's Church in Middle Hill, Barrow, will also undergo some renovations, with a community cafe and a worship space set to be built in the church hall after funds were donated by the diocese and the Wren Foundation.