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Transforming a historic chapel into a modern home is no small feat, but for one family, it’s a dream project combining passion, skill, and a keen eye for unique real estate opportunities. In this blog, we delve into their journey of converting May’s Hall Chapel in Ramsgate into a sophisticated three-bedroom home, complete with planning permission and a vision for the future.
Graham, Joseph, and Matthew approached us with an intriguing proposal to convert a chapel into a three-bedroom home. They sought our expertise to secure planning permission for renovating this historic building before making the purchase. Our team worked closely with them to navigate the regulatory landscape and ensure a smooth transition from a place of worship to a comfortable and unique residential space.
Q: What got you into property renovation?
A: We are a family team consisting of a father and two sons who share a passion for property renovation. With diverse backgrounds—Graham is a retired father, Joseph is a fine art graduate working at Gales Bakery Company, and Matthew is an insurance broker—we combined our skills and experiences to tackle quirky renovations of older buildings that need revitalisation.
Q: What made you choose to renovate this unique building?
A: About 15 months ago, we discovered May’s Hall Chapel in Ramsgate through a local commercial agent. Built-in the late 1800s by Rev. J Brennan, this privately owned, unused Mission Hall perfectly fits our vision. Previously used as a furniture store and then reverting to a Mission Hall, it had several owners until we purchased it from the inheritor of 1995.
Q: How did you get planning permission for this property?
First we contacted Planning By Design to get some planning advice and to find out whether it would be possible to get planning permission before we made an offer to buy the church. I was contacted almost immediately and had a planning appraisal with Mislav Omasic the same day. Mislav gave me planning advice over the phone to confirm the conversion was feasible and after answering all my questions the following morning a written report was sent with a quote for architectural design and planning application to convert the church into a residential house.
Once we instructed Planning By Design, our architects Berna and Busra produced all the required drawings for the planning application. Mislav our town planner then wrote our planning statements and submitted the planning application. It’s now with the council pending a decision soon. All we did was tell them what we wanted to do and the took care of everything else.
Ellie Laws, a Chartered Town Planner at Planning by Design explains the importance of seeking planning permission first.
“The value of input from a planning expert at the outset of a project can not be underestimated. Planning policy is nuanced and the designation of land, local plans and restrictive planning conditions can all influence how and what can be developed. Whilst there has been an expansion of works that can be carried out under permitted development rights in recent years, including change of use, residential extensions and loft conversions, many of these opportunities are restricted for Heritage Assets, including buildings on the National Heritage List for England, locally listed assets, and buildings in Conservation Areas. Purchasing a property is usually the biggest investment a person will make. To launch into this, without first obtaining a planning policy appraisal that identifies the risks and potential opportunities, could be a costly mistake”.
Q: What are your plans for this property?
A: Our goal is to convert the chapel into a sophisticated, unique three-bedroom dwelling filled with natural light while retaining its historical charm. Most of the renovation will be done by us, but we will hire a competent builder for major structural alterations like the roof to ensure quality and guarantees. After completion, we plan to sell the property, aiming for a profit to fund our next project.
Q: Let’s talk numbers: how much did this property cost, the cost of renovation, and how much do you expect to make?
Estimated return: £100,000
Q: That’s an amazing return! You must be so proud.
A: We are incredibly excited about this opportunity to achieve something special, giving the building a new lease on life for the next 100 years. While making a return is our aim, it’s also about realising our vision and testing our abilities to create an amazing living space.
This chapel conversion is more than just a financial venture; it’s a labour of love and a testament to the family’s vision and craftsmanship. As they bring new life to this historic building, they not only create a beautiful home but also preserve a piece of history for future generations.
If you have any unusual buildings you are considering renovating, contact us for a free no-obligation consultation to find out whether your project is feasible today. Assuming it is feasible, our chartered architects and chartered town planners can help you navigate the planning process and turn your unique property into a stunning and profitable investment.
