Berkswell: huge amount of public concern over Coventry Gospel Hall Trust place of worship plan

Solihull Council officers have referred a final decision on the plan for the site in Berkswell to the authority’s planning committee due to the “substantial amount of public concern”.

But in a boost for applicant the Coventry Gospel Hall Trust officers have recommended the application is granted consent.

The trust originally applied in March for the place of worship described as a “meeting hall” to be built in Duggins Lane.

The plan is for the hall to be only used by the Brethren Community for Christian worship.

No secular or other activities are allowed by the Christian denomination in their places of worship and this would apply to this site.

The denomination, which has its origins in the 19th century, already has a large meeting hall in Baginton on the outer edge of Coventry.

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The applicant chose the Solihull location, which is in the green belt, as it is close to the homes of members of the congregation.

The applicant says the hall would be regularly used on Sunday mornings and Monday evenings, with occasional meetings on Sunday afternoons and weekdays.

However, a public consultation received 30 responses and 28 were against the plan.

Among the objections are:

• Duggins Lane is a busy road with lots of accidents
• The proposed car park is too small for the proposed use
• Noise
• The proposal is out of keeping with the locality
• Will set a green belt precedent for future developments

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Planning officers say no objections from the highways department or the council’s public protection officer have been received.

Officers write: “The proposed development is unlikely to adversely impact on the amenity of existing residents by virtue of noise or unnecessary disturbance.”

And officers add the scheme is “appropriate development in the Green Belt” because it is on previously developed land and will have no greater visual or spatial impact on the openness of the green belt than the existing industrial building.

The committee will make its decision on the application at its latest meeting being held at the Civic Suite on Wednesday, (December 4).