Inspector quashes new chapel plan

From the archive, first published Monday 2nd Aug 2004.

A GOVERNMENT planning inspector has resolved a long-running row that has bitterly divided a New Forest village.

Sue Turner has quashed a controversial proposal to build a chapel on the front of St John the Baptist Church in Church Lane, Burley.

New Forest Council rejected the £75,000 scheme at the end of last year.

The application had resulted in 35 letters of objection from people who claimed it would destroy the character of the Grade II listed building.

But the council had also received several letters from people who said the future of the church should outweigh any concerns over the extension.

Jeane Wilde, representing the Friends for the Preservation of Burley Church, told the district planning committee that the scheme had caused the biggest split in the village's history.

"Burley is divided as never before," she said.

Deputy churchwarden Andrew Hignett defended the proposal, saying it was supported by the Diocesan Advisory Committee, the Victorian Society and the Council for the Care of Churches.

But councillors rejected the application after planning officers described the scheme as "fussy" and said it would substantially alter the appearance of the church.

The Parochial Church Council lodged an appeal with the government's planning inspectorate, which has now delivered its verdict.

In her report, Ms Turner says: "The proposed extension would be positioned directly in front of the west elevation and would appear as a separate, self-contained structure.

"The proposal would harm the special architectural character of the listed building and the character of the conservation area."

Villagers who had objected to the proposed extension welcomed the inspector's decision, but church leaders said the refusal of planning permission would hinder their attempts to meet the needs of the parish.

The Rev Diane Webster said: "We will have to curtail a lot of our plans, which included additional services and individual prayer ministry."

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