Major internal changes at an Onchan church have been given the go ahead by planners.

St Peter’s Church submitted a planning application in February to build a new kitchen, construct new stairs and gallery and provide a lift to improve accessibility.

St Peter's is a parish church that serves its local community with religious services and smaller group activities, as well as events for its active congregation and the wider community.

The current church building, consecrated in 1833, stands on a site of a previous church, known as St. Catherine’s and contains a number of ancient Celtic crosses.

In granting the scheme permission, the planning officer said: ‘Although the proposals would result in the loss of the historic gallery, on balance it is judged that the alterations are well considered, as sympathetic as possible and would contribute to the long term preservation of the building and its special interest.’

The planning officer also said the modest side of the external grille would ‘preserve the special character of the conservation area’.

The officer added: ‘The proposals are judged to preserve the special interest of the registered building and preserve the special character of the conservation area. The application is therefore judged to be acceptable.

In the design statement, the applicant argued the proposals were important for the building’s ongoing use.

It said: ‘These updates are essential to support the church's evolving needs, such as the ability to economically host smaller group activities, while ensuring compliance with modern accessibility standards.’

Once the new kitchen is installed, the existing kitchen space would be repurposed as a vestry. A new gallery, staircase and lift will be introduced, supported by an independent steel structure.

In the conclusion, the applicant says: ‘This approach ensures that St Peter's Church remains a functional and welcoming space for the community, respectful of its past while adaptable to present and future needs.’