THE tower of St Paul’s church could soon disappear from the city landscape following a decision to allow the dilapidated building to be demolition of .

The Diocese of Truro has been exploring options for community-based or other uses for the church since its closure in October 2008, but claim numerous expressions of interest were withdrawn due to the cost of addressing structural defects, estimated at around £6-million.

Construction began on the Grade II listed church with the nave and south aisle in 1848. The east end and north aisle were added in the 1880s to designs by renowned Victorian architect John Dando Sedding.

The tower was completed in 1910 by Sedding’s nephew Edmund, but resulted in the foundations settling and cracks appearing in the walls. Internal iron ties added in 1914 to mitigate the effects of the settlement are now showing signs of corrosion.

Many issues have been blamed on the use of Polyphant stone, quarried near Launceston, which weathers badly and is rarely used externally. Additionally, a 500kg bomb exploded over adjacent Agar Road in 1942, causing damage requiring the insertion of concrete beams in 1953.

The empty building has deteriorated to the point it is considered a major health and safety risk. Reports referenced new evidence of ongoing structural movement in the east gable wall and substantial repairs required to the roofs and external walls, as well as vandalism and pigeon infestation.

The decision to allow demolition has divided opinion. An online petition by the Cornish Buildings Group entitled Save St Paul's Church, Truro has gathered more than 3,000 signatures, while a Truro Voice story attracted comments on social media, including from city councillors.

Cllr Lindsay Southcombe (Green, Moresk & Trehaverne) described the church as “the last truly community building in Moresk”.

But former mayor Stuart Roden countered: “The cost of renovation is exorbitant … The congregation moved years ago, and numbers are dwindling at other churches in the diocese. You can't keep an empty building just for the sake of it with no real use or purpose.”

At the church commissioners’ meeting on September 5, Vanessa Tyler made a proposal on behalf of a Plymouth-based charity and a private investor to restore and convert the church into a community venue capable of hosting concerts and heritage skills workshops. Plans included a temporary internal steel skeleton to stabilise the tower ahead of a complete restoration.

The party offered £100,000 over a year ago, and increased its figure last Friday upon hearing of the commissioners’ decision to approve demolition. “We have been told the case is closed,” said Vanessa, who has appealed to the King and the Duke of Cornwall for support, and is now emailing organisations including Historic England and The Victorian Society.

“I think they had already decided to demolish the church and were just going through the process. It’s wrong. They should let someone have one last go with it.”

Diocesan secretary Simon Cade said the next steps would be to engage with Agar Road residents to hear their thoughts about the building’s future.