Planning bid to transform barn between Stone and Sandon into worship hall

A barn between Stone and Sandon could be converted into a church if plans are approved by Stafford Borough Council.

Permission has previously been granted to turn the barn at Lichfield Road, Burston, into a three-bedroom house.

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Now a new planning application seeking change of use to a place of worship has been submitted. If approved, the building would be used by local members of the Plymouth Brethren, a Christian community that has more than 55,000 members worldwide.

A planning statement submitted as part of the application said:

“The hall will serve a local need focussed on nine households within the catchment area close to the site. The church operates on the basis of small local provision and then a large hall for all members to come together; for Stafford this is located at Hixon.

“There is a need for small countryside churches – just like old parishes – to serve the rural areas and reduce travel to larger towns. The small churches are to deliver full local participation so look to have local halls for approximately 35 and then if there is an increase a new local hall is sought.

“Given the proximity to the proposed halls, the church will enable a significant saving in miles, as opposed to travelling further afield. The new hall would mean a net saving reduction of 145 miles per week.

“The floor plan of the conversion will deliver an entrance lobby, toilets and then one main hall space for religious services. There will be no signage or decorative features, it will be minimalistic and fenestration only at the front.

“The building is set back from the road and is well screened and will not be prominent in the street scene. The building is single storey and the new car parking spaces will effectively utilise existing previous farm yard concrete area.

“The church will only be used a maximum of three times a week for one hour services, all at off peak times, (and) the services do not include amplified music. The services always have doors closed during meetings and the form of meetings are gospel preaching (and) Bible study – all verbal, non-amplified guitar and singing and no social activities.”