ST Luke’s Church in Holmes Chapel is earmarked for a new vicarage because of the costs of maintaining the current building.

The Diocese of Chester is seeking planning approval for a two-storey building off London Road which would serve as a family home and provide space for spiritual and pastoral ministry.

The Diocese is seeking to recruit a new vicar for the church following the retirement at the end of December of Reverend Paul Mason.

A shortlist of candidates for the role is being drawn up, and interviews for the post are due to take place on May 3.

The replacement vicarage would be situated to the east of the existing vicarage, closer to the front of the site and to the London Road frontage.

The current vicarage is vacant following the retirement of Rev Mason, and the Diocese would aim to release the existing vicarage to the market for use as a family home.

A report accompanying the planning application said: “It is possible for a modern replacement vicarage to be constructed within the large, private grounds of the existing vicarage.

“The proposed siting is beneficial as it ensures the close existing physical connection between the church and vicarage is maintained.

“It is necessary for a vicar to reside close to the church and among the community which they serve.

“The proximity of the proposed vicarage to the church is therefore the preferred location for pastoral and spiritual ministry, as well as providing a family home for the incumbent of the parish.

“The existing vicarage is set at some depth within its large plot, at 78 metres from the street frontage, thereby lacking a relationship with the surrounding housing.

“The proposed vicarage is sited towards the front of the plot, aligned to respect the building line of neighbouring properties, resulting in an improved aspect from the street scene.

“The proposed new vicarage will be a two-storey dwelling, using the existing driveway access from London Road.

“The existing vicarage at 74 London Road is a substantial house set in private grounds.

“The ongoing liabilities associated with maintenance and upkeep place an unsustainable financial burden upon the church and upon the incumbent vicar.

“The Diocese of Chester is responsible for the maintenance costs of the building, whilst the vicar is responsible for utility bills, internal decorating, upkeep, cleaning and gardening.

“The Parsonage Design Guide states – ‘But where the continued upkeep of a particular house imposes a disproportionate burden on a Diocese’s financial resources and perhaps is prohibitively expensive for the parson to furnish, decorate, heat, light and clean, it will be right to consider replacing it’.”

Sunday services during April will be taken for the most part by Rev Rick Gates. Wednesday services will be led by Rev Alan Overend or Rev Bruce Lamb.

Work has started at the vicarage to prune the trees and bushes in the front garden.

The condition of the house and grounds is being assessed by surveyors from the Diocese of Chester, and the wardens team is monitoring the house on a weekly basis to ensure the property is maintained in good condition.

Approval for the new vicarage is being sought from Cheshire East Council, and comments on the application, 19/1787C, can be made until May 2 on the council’s planning portal.

The church website said: “We are a welcoming and friendly church with 203 members at the last update of the electoral roll.

“The congregation has a desire to see the work of the church grow and has responded generously to requests to support church initiatives.

“Regular attendance at church services has stayed more or less the same in recent years, but the age distribution has become increasingly skewed towards the more elderly.

“There is an increasing need to rebuild church membership embracing younger age groups if we are to sustain and expand our future mission.”