Bid to convert church in Norwich’s Golden Triangle into flats is put back
Local residents who are furious about plans drawn up by developers to redevelop St Peter's Methodist Church in Park Lane and replace it with 20 flats and one house. PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY - Credit: SIMON FINLAY
A decision over controversial plans to convert a former Norwich church into homes has been put back.
St Peter's Methodist Church in Park Lane. - Credit: SIMON FINLAY
City councillors were today due to decide whether to grant permission for changes to St Peter's Methodist Church in Park Lane.
Officers had recommended approval, even though 120 objections had been lodged to the proposals to convert the Golden Triangle church and associated buildings into 20 homes.
Objectors to the proposals by Wymondham-based The Interesting Building Company filled the public seating at the planning committee meeting at City Hall this morning, with more than a dozen people ready to speak against the application.
Concerns which have been raised include the loss of a community asset, that it would lead to traffic problems and parking issues, that it would destroy the privacy of homes nearby and that the development was out of character with the surrounding area.
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But, before discussion of the application, started, councillors unanimously voted to defer the decision on the application, so they can visit the site.
Planning committee chairman Chris Herries apologised to those who had taken time off work to attend the meeting.
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She said the 'complicated nature' of the site's layout and other issues meant councillors needed to view it before reaching a decision.
She said: 'I apologise to members of the public who might have taken the day off to get here, but I hope you accept we want to make as thorough an analysis as possible before coming to a decision.'
Following the site visit, the application will come before either next month's planning committee meeting, or at a specifically convened planning meeting as a stand alone item.
The objectors, some of whom had complained that they could not hear what was being said at today's meeting, were told the council chamber, with its better acoustics, would be used when the application is next discussed.
