Progress appears to be being made with the redevelopment of a fire-damaged church which has stood derelict in Weymouth town centre for more than 20 years.

The  Grade II* listed former Maiden Street Methodist Church was partially destroyed by a fire in January 2002 and has been decaying ever since – despite several proposals for its redevelopment over the years, including plans for flats and a restaurant.

The site was puchased by the Oxford-based Cranbourne Group which established Cranbourne Enterprises (Weymouth) Ltd to progress its plans.

It was previously granted planning permission for a 25-apartment scheme and has since renewed its plans to carry out the project after making some amendments to the design.

Now it has released plans of the proposed structure and its interior on a new website, offering prospective buyers a chance to buy the apartments before their construction.

Dorset Echo:

Cranbourne’s website dedicated to the plans, Evolution Weymouth, offers prospective buyers a look at the plans for the ‘sympathetically restored’ site through CGI, which is said to include 24 apartments, a residents' only gym and the Old Chapel House, which will become a three-bedroom cottage.

Dorset Echo:

The website shows a CGI version of the front of the building, including a reconstruction of the church's historic rose window design to make the site look as it was before the fire, which has been supported.

Dorset Echo:

The plans on the website further reveal three apartments on the ground floor, five on the second, third and fourth floors. The fourth floor apartments will be maisonettes, going to the mezzanine floor, where each plot having their own garden.

Pictures advertising the future interior of the site show the apartments to have a sleek and modern look.  

The apartments are priced between £150k to £215k, with the cottage priced at £385k.

A statement from the Cranbourne website says 'You won’t be getting a mass-produced property, but an individual unit full of character.'

Dorset Echo:

Despite the go ahead, the site is yet to be worked on, with overgrown trees still protruding from the roof top.

The site is labelled on the 'at risk' register by Historic England, with the condition of the site described as 'very bad.' 

The Echo has made several attempts to talk to Cranbourne about its plans and to inquire when work will start but the company has failed to respond to requests for comment.

Visiting the site, the Echo saw no work going on at the site.

We asked people nearby their thoughts of the site.

Graham Crow, who has lived in Weymouth for 40 years, said: “I remember going to exhibitions there before and it was great. The fire was very sad - but we thought it has to be restored.

“If they keep the original shell, and put flats within it then great, because it is a Weymouth landmark - however I don’t know how they will manage parking in the area with 25 new flats.”

Tim Munro from Portland remembered playing table tennis in the church back in winter 1963, having to take shelter nearby as he couldn’t get home.

Mr Munro said: “This elegant building is deteriorating, and people can now only appreciate the exterior.

“This seems to be the only and obvious solution, unless the public were to raise the funds themselves. At least now the development is measurable as it’s a pretty positive move forward.”

One Weymouth resident for more than 20 years commented: “The scaffolding has been up as long as I can remember. I’d like to see the building used for anything but development.”

Meanwhile, local councillor Jon Orrell said: “I am keen to see this landmark building used. The proposed restoration is welcome - the sooner the better for this derelict site.”