Plans for a replacement gospel hall in Guisborough by the Christian-based religious group the Plymouth Brethren have been granted planning permission.
The scheme proposed by the Nunthorpe Gospel Hall Trust is for an existing site used by the Brethren in Church Lane.
It was once a magistrates court until its closure in 2013 with the group subsequently snapping up the premises and successfully seeking change of use consent for the current hall of worship.
A statement included with planning documents submitted to Redcar and Cleveland Council by Darlington-based consultants Prism Planning providing details of the scheme said: “The application proposes the demolition of the entirety of the existing flat roofed complex and the removal of the palisade security fence.
“A new hall would be built on the upper level of the site, on part of the footprint of the existing court complex, and would have a capacity to seat 120 people.”
It said adjustments would be made to a rear car park which would be newly laid out to accommodate 29 parking spaces and one to a disabled standard, increasing the current number by ten.
The statement said the intention was not for the new hall to be intensively used every day of the week by large assemblies of Brethren, adding: “The site has been used by the Brethren for more than ten years and the new facility simply seeks to continue that same usage and same pattern of worship, just in a bespoke facility that is designed for the Brethren’s needs.”
It said the new hall would be single storey in height with a pitched roof over.
The base of the building would be brick clad, up to the windowsill level and above this point the building would be horizontally clad in timber effect boarding.
The new building would also occupy a smaller footprint than the totality of the former court complex when demolished.
The statement described how a current pedestrian access arrangement “puts a sea of concrete and tarmac across the majority of the frontage of the site”.
This would be removed and a new brick retaining wall would allow the front of the site to be properly landscaped, “undoubtedly improving the character and appearance of the street scene”.
Concerns about the project
The plans addressed potential noise with an assessment taking place which said it should not give rise to disturbance during the day or at night.
The statement said: ”In practice, officers and members will wish to know that Plymouth Brethren practice a quiet religion in which there is no organ or amplification of music.
“Singing does take place in limited amounts, but it is purely the voices of the worshipers, free from any accompaniment.”
It added: “It will also be appreciated that the Plymouth Brethren have been worshipping on this site for more than ten years.
“At no point in this time has there been any complaint to the council relating to noise emanating from their acts of worship.”
An objection from a local resident living in the adjacent Peelers Court raised a concern about potential traffic congestion, but the council’s development engineers deemed the plans would not have a material impact on the local traffic network.
Addressing the potential impact on neighbouring properties, a council officer’s report said: “The proposal would not pose any appreciable effect in use with the existing building having the same use.
“The proposal would be of a limited size and scale to the existing and would not pose any significant effect upon overlooking, overshadowing or oppression upon any neighbouring property.
“It would re-order the car parking area, but it is not considered that there would be any significant effect upon the neighbouring properties.”
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