Locks Heath Free Church has had a “largely positive” response during a consultation on their second bid to build a 400-seat auditorium as part of a £4m extension.
A street view of the proposed extension to Locks Heath Free Church
Senior Minister Mark Madavan said residents and councillors reacted supportively at a two-day exhibition of new plans for the extension of the church in Hunts Pond Road, which will include 155 extra on-site car parking spaces, alongside the 88 current spaces.
He said Fareham councillors – some of whom were against the initial design because they felt there was not enough on-site parking and dubbed it a conference facility – were happier with the new proposal.
“It has been largely good,” said Mr Madavan.
“The councillors all seemed to be supportive. They felt we had responded to their concerns from last year.
“One of the concerns was the massing of the building. The roof has been angled, so it is now softer. The parking is all on site and seems to have gone down better too.
“We’re being clear that we are a church as well. The councillors seem to feel we’ve addressed the issues quite well.
“No councillor responded shaking their heads. They did come and listen, which was good.”
Mr Madavan said one of the neighbouring residents was concerned that as part of the church acquiring more land at the site for the facilities, trees would be chopped down. But he insisted this was not the case and that trees will not be removed as part of the construction, if it is given the green-light.
The graphic impression of the Locks heath Free Church planned extension including the extra on-site car parking to the right
“We’re hoping that we have addressed the issues. If anyone has concerns we’re happy to chat with them.”
Around 100 people attended the exhibition to see the new plans.
Sarisbury ward Councillor, David Swanbrow, who originally feared the extension would be too large and did not have enough parking spaces has seen the new plans with other councillors.
He said it had been made clear that the extension was not specifically a conference facility.
“Any discussion I have at committee could change my mind,”said Cllr Swanbrow. “But they have overcome the objections that I certainly had for the first proposal.
“They have vastly increased the amount of parking relative to the size of the building. They’ve reduced the bulk of the building. At the moment I’m happy with it.”
A planning application, which will include feedback from the consultation exercise, will be submitted to Fareham Borough Council at the end of the month.