Barn worship centre plan opposed

By James Hore

A FAMILY is set to find out if their dream of converting a barn into a place of worship will be given the go-ahead.

Vivienne Wood has opened up Wood End Farm in Hatfield Peverel to adults and children for evangelical Christian worship.

The King's Centre puts on two Sunday clubs and two youth clubs there during the week and have had applied to Braintree District Council for permission for a "change of use" from agricultural to place of worship.

It is hoped the move will then allow a planning application to be made for improvements to the facilities on offer.

Three years ago the services moved from Baynards Primary School in Tiptree to Wood End Farm. Mrs Wood, who is pastor at the King's Centre, said the location was perfect for the services and for the holiday activity clubs that it also holds.

She said: "It is a big thing to be able to continue here. The setting is perfect as far as we are able to see. There is plenty of parking space and there are lovely big lawns for the children to play on.

"The barn is enormous and is kitted out with air conditioning and there is lots of space within it and outside and no neighbors so they can be noisy. The approach here is very lively – it is not at all stuffy."

The centre is part of the King's Ministries, a charity providing youth church activities. A statement supporting its application said a new housing development to the south-west of Witham woud lead to "even greater opportunities" and increased need for their activities.

However, council planning officers have recommended councillors should refuse the application when they meet on May 18.

The officers felt the site was not appropriate for the proposed use and provision for worship at other locations "more closely serve the need of the local population".

james.hore@eadt.co.uk