Church hall to make way for two apartments in Fishbourne
A church hall in Fishbourne can be demolished and replaced with a two-storey building providing two apartments, following a decision by Chichester district councillors.
The hall, owned by the Church of St Peter and St Mary, is some distance from the church, and the intention is to build a new one which is close to it.
Fishbourne Parish Council claimed the proposed building would be out of character in an area where most of the property was 'low-profile', in the form of bungalows.
But planning permission was granted by the southern area development control committee, which was told the hall, in Mill Lane, was in a poor state of repair and too small for church functions, as well as being inconveniently sited.
Councillors heard planning consent for the new hall had already been given by planning officers, under delegated powers.
One local objector said the site was not big enough for a house, and it was jammed between the sewage pumping station and a pub car park.
The rector of Fishbourne, the Rev Clive Ashley, said the design of the new homes was a vast improvement on the current church hall.
"We have had to spend 40,000 on repairing the grade II listed church, supplied by the people of Fishbourne," he added.
They could not afford the cost of repairing the present hall, which was falling into neglect, and the aim was to provide a new one, enabled by the demolition of the present building and its replacement with two apartments.
Cllr Adrian Moss, who represents Fishbourne, said the village needed a new church hall – the existing one was near the end of its reasonable life.
"This scheme for housing is not ideal, but it's perfectly acceptable," he added.
Voting by the committee was unanimously in favour of the project.
Recommending approval, a report by planning officers said the new building would be in the harbour area of outstanding natural beauty, but would not have a significant impact on it.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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