Councillors reject £3.5m gospel hall plans

The development was compared to a "warehouse" by one councillor

A £3.5m project for a new gospel hall in Teesside has been turned down.

Thornfield Gospel Hall Trust wanted to build the hall on land off Stokesley Road, Nunthorpe, near Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough Council planning officers said the development would be in conflict with Local Plan policies and a national planning framework.

Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, which would have used the hall, said the group was "disappointed" by the decision.

The church had proposed a building for more than 800 people, with a total of 284 parking spaces.

Access to the gospel hall would have been off a private access road to a recently built medical centre.

The development had received 120 objections and was recommended for refusal.

However, a significant number of letters of support were also submitted, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

One letter said the group's congregation was increasing and had outgrown its current facility at Gypsy Lane at the other end of Nunthorpe village.

'Pressing need'

Nunthorpe ward councillor Mieka Smiles said she was "very pleased" with the result.

In her submission she had described the new structure as far too large and looking like a "warehouse more suited to an industrial estate than an attractive residential area".

Nunthorpe Parish Council also objected.

A spokesman for the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church said the organisation was "disappointed" with the refusal as there was a "pressing need" for a new building.

"Members of our Church have lived and worked in the local area for over 100 years," the church said, adding it remained "committed" to delivering a new gospel hall and was looking at available options.