Acclaimed artist Lucy Sparrow will transform a former Wickhambrook church into a home and studio. The sale was approved by West Suffolk Council.
The church stopped being used in 2021. Her statement claimed it would not be a church again.
Lucy’s main studio stays in Sudbury. She employs people there. A home studio lets her work anytime she wants. She can design and try new art ideas.
Lucy Sparrow had many art shows since 2014. These shows were in London and the United States. She also exhibited in Australia, and China.
The church was for sale for £450,000. It was on the market from October 2023. Nobody asked about it or came to see it for a year.
The church wrote a letter explaining this. Fewer people attended services over time, and the building upkeep was too expensive. It could no longer work as a church because Wickambrook has two other churches now.
The plan to change the building got support. The parish council was for it, and three local people also supported the plan.
A neighbor, Mr. Noel Byrne, spoke about the church. He thought it would help the building and believes it will improve a historic village building.
Planners approved the change. They also approved changes to the building, inside and outside, which will let it be a home.