PLANS for a new church in Romsey have had floods of support from across the town.
Senior leader of Freedom Church, Sim Dendy, has applied for planning permission for a church and community hub on a field in Greatbridge Road.
The proposal includes a prayer space, landscaped gardens and car parking.
Test Valley Borough Council has received 19 supporting comments and none in objection.
Romsey Town Council's planning committee gave the scheme its support, at a meeting on Thursday March 9.
Cllr Ian Culley said: “This will be a really good community resource. We should support this.”
The council discussed the fact the site isn't on a bus route, but concluded that the church would have members who could collect people.
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Revd Mike Perrott, minister at the Abbey United Reformed Church in Romsey, said: “Not only will the proposed building provide a purpose-built church building for the worship and administration of Freedom Church, but it will be a centre for community outreach, especially the Romsey Foodbank which it seems, sadly, will become increasingly necessary for more people in the years to come.”
Rev Thomas Wharton, vicar of Romsey Abbey, said: “The work Freedom Church facilitates benefits the community of Romsey greatly and it is important to have your own base, not only for your own worshipping community, but for having the appropriate facilities and space for running Romsey Foodbank and the various CAP initiatives which support the most vulnerable amongst us.”
Tony Owen, of Oxlease Meadows, said: “What a beautiful proposal! This will add to the character of the area and provide a meaningful and significant contribution to the life of Romsey, a place to worship and serve the community - such a positive addition to our town.”
Deborah Niblett, of Sylvan Drive, North Baddesley, said: “Having looked at the plans when they were displayed last summer, I am very impressed at the attention to detail, functionality and design of this proposal. It will provide a wonderful facility for both the church fellowship and the community as a whole.
“There is already a considerable contribution to the wellbeing of Romsey residents provided by the Freedom Church which will only be increased by the potential afforded with this building.”
To view the plans online, search 23/00340/FULLS on Test Valley Borough Council's planning portal.
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