The Bishop of Blackburn, Rt. Rev Philip North, has visited Broughton St John Baptist to license the new St Martin’s Chapel and open the new Parish Hall which sit alongside new affordable housing on church land in Fulwood, Preston.

The parish of Broughton St John has worked with partners Regenda Homes Ltd and their building company, M and Y Maintenance and Construction.

The affordable housing consists of five semi-detached, three-bedroom houses and nine two-bedroom apartments; all available under the rent-to-buy model.

Tenants pay 80% of the market rent to enable them to save for a deposit for a future purchase, either of the home they are renting or another.

Nationally, the Church of England has committed to building 30,000 homes on church land to address the acute shortage of housing in England.

Proposals are in the planning system across the country and this development in our Diocese is an example of what can be achieved.

The whole development is heated using air source heat pumps and everything is energy efficient; reducing fuel bills.

The site is in the centre of Fulwood where shops and amenities are within walking distance (including Royal Preston Hospital) and public transport is on the doorstep.  

This whole project has been a successful partnership of a parish and housing association, helped by generous grants from the Lancashire Environmental Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, the Diocese of Blackburn, National Lottery Community Fund, Bernard Sunley Foundation, Harold and Alice Bridges Charity, AllChurches (now Benefact) Trust, legacies and donations.

Regenda has provided homes that are sustainable, safe, stable, sociable, and satisfying, the guiding principles of the Church of England’s housing programme.

Bishop Philip licensed the Chapel and opened the new St Martin’s Hall community hub in September.

The Chapel is the newest church in Blackburn Diocese where worship, fellowship, and service will contribute to the life of Fulwood and Broughton for decades to come.

The community hub meanwhile has three meeting rooms, one of which is a parish room. Then there is the Parish Office, the Chapel itself, kitchen and garden. The building is zero carbon with an air source heat pump and is also disabled accessible. 

There is a cross in the foyer of the building which was on the roof of the old St Martin's Parish Hall which came down with the building. The cross was then restored by a member of the congregation, Jim Titterington. All the other crosses in the building were made by a local craftsman from salvaged wood from the old altar. 

Captions for above pictures, top to bottom:

• Rev Canon Fleur Green looks on as Bishop Philip unveils a plaque marking the licensing of the chapel and opening of the hall.
• The new chapel
• Part of the new parish hall

Ronnie Semley, October 2023