Joy as church expansion is given green light

But the congregation at King's Community Church in Hedge End was chanting "Hallelujah" after a proposal for a 1,300-seat auditorium was given the go-ahead.

The vote seemed to be on a knife-edge as the massive expansion plans for the 17-acre site in Sovereign Place, Upper Northam Close, triggered a mixed reaction at Eastleigh Council. But at the end of the day it went through by six votes to four.

The church is bursting at the seams with more than 600 worshippers filling the pews at some Sunday services. Now it will be able to spread out with a new auditorium, foyer, welcome and youth rooms, creche and office accommodation.

Car parking will be extended by an extra 190 spaces to cater for up to 316 cars and there will be landscaping on nearby land.

There were eight letters of objection, including concerns about the scale of the scheme on undeveloped land between Hedge End and Southampton - known as the strategic gap - and the impact on traffic.

The committee also heard that there had been 49 letters of support, pointing out that it would benefit the community and meet local demand.

Councillor Derek Pretty said the church did tremendous work in the community but he questioned the need for a 1,300-seat church.

He did not think that the design had much architectural merit.

And Cllr Jane Welsh said the proposed building was wrong for the strategic gap and added: "It's a landmark which I'm sure we're not going to be proud of."

Pointing out that the church had a growing congregation, Cllr Keith House said: "There are a lot of good reasons why we should support this application."

He said that site in the strategic gap had always been allocated for community use.

Speaking after the meeting, Pastor Martyn Dunford, of King's Community Church, welcomed the decision.

He said: "In 1999 our Sunday attendances were about 100 and that has grown to 600."

It is hoped that work on the new building will begin next summer.