Plans have been submitted for major changes to a Welwyn Garden City church aimed at securing its long-term future in the town.

The United Reformed Church in Church Road wants to construct a single storey rear extension to the church following the demolition of an existing 1980s extension and alterations to an existing window.

The proposed development includes the installation of a new lift to improve accessibility, and a new kitchen, toilet facilities and communal space with access to the existing garden.

The emphasis is on improving or enhancing existing community facilities within the building that are currently in high community demand, and encouraging community use of the space by making it more inclusive/approachable.

Pre-application advice was sought for a larger development on the site in 2019, but following the response and impact of the pandemic a reduced scheme has been proposed to meet the church's needs.

It has received the backing of neighbours in Cypress Avenue, who said: "I am connected with this church and consequently should declare an interest. I support the scheme, being a more modest one for which pre-application advice was sought. The present scheme avoids the sale of church grounds.

"I hope that planners will appreciate the reasons behind the application to improve these town centre premises for greater community use, and will make the appropriate decision."

You can comment on the proposed scheme at http://planning.welhat.gov.uk/Planning/Display/6/2022/1028/FULL