A church tower in Southampton could be demolished due to “significant structural issues”.

Work to renovate St Jude’s Church in Shirley so it can operate as a day nursery unearthed the problems.

Planning permission was approved for the change of use from a place of worship in 2022.

Tiny Toes (Southampton) Ltd, which plans to run a nursery at the deconsecrated church, has confirmed proposals to level the tower structure at the Warren Avenue site.

The company has asked the city council to confirm it can carry out the works under permitted development without the need for formal planning permission.

A demolition statement submitted as part of the application said: “Works to repair the building and to bring it up to the required condition to accommodate the approved ‘day nursery’ use safely have revealed significant structural issues with the tower.

“Whilst it is not considered that the works are of a nature that requires immediate action, nonetheless, the builder has concluded that the work to rectify the tower is unviable, particularly in view of its lack of function for the day nursery use.”

The statement says the building is not listed and the function of the tower is no longer required to call people to worship.

It adds that it has no relevant function to the day nursery so the cost of repair is not balanced by benefit.

Tiny Toes (Southampton) Ltd has tabled a separate application to install solar panels on the south elevation of the roof under permitted development.

The application to change the use of St Jude’s Church, which had been vacant since March 2020, attracted more than 50 letters of objection and two petitions signed by 1,420 and 205 people, respectively.

Concerns focused on inadequate parking and increased traffic, the loss of community space and whether there was a need for the additional nursery provision.

Members of the planning and rights of way panel approved the change of use at a meeting in July 2022.