Former Portsmouth spiritualist church set for flat conversion
Plans have been unveiled to convert a former Spiritualist church in Portsmouth into two flats.
The proposal relates to 2 Vivash Road and has been put forward on behalf of Spiritualists National Union. The two-storey terraced building has no garden or rear access.
Planning documents submitted to Portsmouth City Council state the scheme is for the “conversion of the redundant Spiritualist Church at 2 Vivash Road, Fratton to two Self-Contained Flats”.
The plans would see the existing building reconfigured to provide living space for residents. A bin store is proposed at the north-west corner, while the current front entrance would remain in use.
The statement adds: “The scheme has been detailed to ensure there is no loss of amenity as a result of it’s formation to all neighbours and particularly the neighbours to the north and south.”
Only limited external changes are proposed, with materials intended to match the existing building.
The planning agent, acting for the applicant, said: “The aim has been to create well featured scheme which whilst meeting my Client’s spatial requirements does not detract from the character or setting of the building or interfere with the general amenity of adjoining residences.”
According to the Spiritualists National Union, spiritualism is a faith centred on mediumship, or communication with those who have died.
It adds: “The purpose of mediumship is to offer proof of survival, not to predict the future, give advice, or counsel. It allows spirits to communicate, helping us understand that life continues beyond physical death.”
However, mediumship has faced criticism over a lack of scientific evidence, with sceptics pointing to techniques such as cold reading and concerns about the potential exploitation of vulnerable people.
The former church on Vivash Road has been closed for some time. A separate venue, the ‘Portsmouth Temple of Spiritualism’, operates on Victoria Road South.