City Church
Hatfield church to be demolished for flats
By Kelly-Ann Kiernan , Chief Reporter
Thursday, February 2, 2012
6:30 AM
A CHURCH is set to be demolished to make way for 12 two-bedroom flats, despite objections from residents.
City ChurchA 170-name petition against the proposals for City Church, on the junction of Acacia Street and The Wades in Hatfield, has been received.
The church is set to relocate and has obtained planning permission for a new church at Gracemead House on Dellfield Road, approximately 1.7km to the north of this site.
The flats proposal sought by City Church would see a block of flats, comprising of a two and three storey building, largely on the same footprint as the church, with car and cycle parking alongside.
Residents have objected to the demolition, as it will be a loss of community facilities to the area.
The church is also used for toddler groups, coffee mornings and keep fit classes.
The plans are set to go before Welwyn Hatfield Council’s planning committee tonight (Thursday).
The council’s officers recommend the plans are approved.
Their report to councillors reads: “It is considered there would not be an overall loss of community facility and therefore there is no, in principle, objection to development,
“The design of the scheme has been prepared to reflect the character of the area while also contributing and enhancing the character of the built form.”
It continues: “Subject to the completion of a legal agreement securing enhancements to a bus stop, together with contributions towards infrastructure and a clause ensuring the new site at Gracemead House is occupied prior to the demolition of he existing church, the proposal is considered acceptable.”
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2 comments
This is good news for people within the locality who find it hard to access the Church because its at the top of the hill and only car owners are able to drive up there. Now the Church is moving nearer the Town Centre it would be more convenient for a lot of people without cars to walk down to the Church or just hop on the bus, as there is a bus stop right opposite the Church which is brilliant for non car owners. I hear the Church is hoping to better serve the community by being more accessible to where the local amenities are and making life much easier for those who are not able to walk up the hill. There is also space in the new car park for disabled parking. There are still other local Churches very close to the Acacia Street site and I dont see any reason why City Church should not move to Gracemead House. I think the Church moving to Gracemead House is a very good idea and I hope the Council will approve the plans, as it would better serve us the community.
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royal
Thursday, February 2, 2012
This is good news for people within the locality who find it hard to access the Church because its at the top of the hill and only car owners are able to drive up there. Now the Church is moving nearer the Town Centre it would be more convenient for a lot of people without cars to walk down to the Church or just hop on the bus, as there is a bus stop right opposite the Church which is brilliant for non car owners. I hear the Church is hoping to better serve the community by being more accessible to where the local amenities are and making life much easier for those who are not able to walk up the hill. There is also space in the new car park for disabled parking. There are still other local Churches very close to the Acacia Street site and I dont see any reason why City Church should not move to Gracemead House. I think the Church moving to Gracemead House is a very good idea and I hope the Council will approve the plans, as it would better serve us the community.
Report this comment
royal
Thursday, February 2, 2012