New Chapter for Former St Jerome’s Church Hall in Formby as Plans for Day Centre Are Approved

Plans Approved to Transform Former St Jerome’s Church Hall into New Day Centre and Community Facility in Formby.

The former St Jerome’s Church Hall on Greenloons Drive in Formby is set for a new chapter after Sefton Council granted planning permission for the building to become a day centre and multipurpose community facility.

The decision, approved on Tuesday 13 October 2026, marks another significant development for the former St Jerome’s site, which is gradually being transformed to accommodate new recreational and community uses.

The latest proposals will see the former church hall change from its previous role as a building associated with St Jerome’s Church into a flexible facility that will predominantly operate as a day centre.

The approved plans also allow for catering facilities and other indoor recreational activities, creating the potential for the building to accommodate a variety of services and activities.

What Is Planned for the Former Church Hall?

The planning application proposes a change of use that will allow the former church hall to operate primarily as a day centre, supported by catering facilities and other indoor recreation uses.

This could provide opportunities for organised activities, social interaction, recreational sessions and other services, depending on the eventual operator and how the premises are managed.

The inclusion of catering facilities also means the building could accommodate food and refreshments as part of its activities.

Although the application establishes the types of activities permitted within the building, it does not yet confirm exactly who will operate the centre or which groups of people it will cater for.

Further details about the proposed services, staffing arrangements, opening hours and anticipated opening date have yet to be publicly confirmed.

Another New Beginning for the Former St Jerome’s Site

The approval follows another significant planning decision earlier this year involving the neighbouring former St Jerome’s Church building.

In July 2026, Sefton Council granted permission for the former church to be converted into a children’s gymnastics centre, operated by Dan Purvis Ltd.

Dan Purvis is a former Olympic gymnast who represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games, where he was part of the men’s team that secured a historic bronze medal.

The gymnastics development aims to provide a dedicated facility for children and young people interested in the sport.

In September, a further planning application was approved allowing the gymnastics centre to operate during extended hours.

The approved hours are Monday to Friday from 9am until 9pm, Saturday from 9am until 5pm and Sunday from 10am until 5pm.

The gymnastics centre and the newly approved day centre are separate developments involving different parts of the former church complex.

However, together they represent a significant change in how the buildings on Greenloons Drive could be used in the future.

Bringing Former Community Buildings Back into Use

For many years, St Jerome’s Church and its associated hall formed part of the local community on Greenloons Drive.

Buildings such as these have traditionally provided places where residents could gather for religious services, celebrations, meetings and community activities.

As the needs of communities change, finding suitable new uses for former religious and community buildings can help ensure they remain occupied and continue to serve a purpose.

The latest approval provides an opportunity for the former church hall to become an active facility once again.

Rather than remaining unused, the building could accommodate activities and services that bring people together.

The proposals also demonstrate how existing buildings can be adapted for new purposes without necessarily requiring complete redevelopment.

Planning Permission Officially Granted

The application for the former church hall was submitted to Sefton Council on 18 August 2026.

Planning agents LJ Architects Ltd handled the application, which sought permission to change the building’s use from a church hall into a multipurpose facility.

Following consideration by the council’s planning department, permission was granted with conditions on Tuesday 13 October 2026.

The decision was made under delegated powers, meaning the application was determined by planning officers rather than being referred to a full Planning Committee meeting.

The approval allows the proposed change of use to proceed, subject to the conditions attached to the planning permission.

When Will the New Day Centre Open?

Although planning permission has now been granted, an official opening date has not yet been announced.

It is also not yet clear whether any internal alterations will be required before the building can begin operating in its new capacity.

The identity of the organisation or business that will manage the day centre has not been publicly confirmed.

Further information will be needed to establish whether the facility will provide specialist day services, general community activities or a combination of different uses.

For now, the approval represents an important step towards bringing the former church hall back into use.

With the neighbouring former church also approved for a children’s gymnastics centre, the Greenloons Drive site could soon become home to two very different facilities, both offering opportunities for recreation and community involvement.

Formby Bubble will continue to follow developments at the former St Jerome’s site and provide further updates as details of the new day centre and its opening plans become available.

Planning application reference: DC/2026/01382

Location: Former St Jerome’s Church Hall, Greenloons Drive, Formby, L37 2LX

Decision: Approved with conditions, 13 October 2026