A two-storey church complete with a café and nursery will be built in Norwich, allowing its congregation to finally return home 15 years after a devastating blaze.

Eastern Daily Press: The Soul Church pastor Jon Norman. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe Soul Church pastor Jon Norman. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

In February 2006, a lightning strike saw fire rip through the Mount Zion Family Life Centre in Heartsease Lane.

Since then, the Norwich Family Life Church, now known as the Soul Church, has stayed in a temporary home on Mason Road, off Mile Cross Lane.

Eastern Daily Press: Soul Church pastor Jon Norman and his wife Chantel, who lead the Soul Church on Mason Road, Norwich.Picture by SIMON FINLAY.Soul Church pastor Jon Norman and his wife Chantel, who lead the Soul Church on Mason Road, Norwich.Picture by SIMON FINLAY.

But the church community has long said they hoped to one day return to their former home - and that dream has now become reality.

Norwich City Council has given the go-ahead for a £7m church with a 1,038-seat auditorium, office space, drop-in work hub, café, play barn, nursery and respite facility to be built on land off Heartsease Lane.

Eastern Daily Press: How the new Soul Church could look. Photo: Feilden+Mawson.How the new Soul Church could look. Photo: Feilden+Mawson. (Image: Feilden+Mawson)

Pastor Jon Norman said: "We are over the moon.

Eastern Daily Press: Fire destroys the Zion Family Church in Norwich in 2006. Photo: Simon FinlayFire destroys the Zion Family Church in Norwich in 2006. Photo: Simon Finlay (Image: Archant © 2006)

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Eastern Daily Press: Fire destroys the Zion Family Church in Norwich in 2006. Photo: Simon FinlayFire destroys the Zion Family Church in Norwich in 2006. Photo: Simon Finlay (Image: Archant © 2006)

"The tag line 'we are coming home' is what we have said for just over two years, since we started this project.

"It's the start of the home coming after the tragic fire in 2006. The thought of Soul Church being back on the Heartsease and Plumstead estate is a symbol of hope to me.

Eastern Daily Press: Mount Zion Church Family Life Centre after it was destroyed in a fire in 2006. Picture: James BassMount Zion Church Family Life Centre after it was destroyed in a fire in 2006. Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2006)

"We are going to rebuild from the ashes."

He said they hoped to break ground on the development in 2020, and had a goal of being up and running in 2021, 15 years after the fire.

Eastern Daily Press: How the new Soul Church could look. Photo: Feilden+Mawson.How the new Soul Church could look. Photo: Feilden+Mawson. (Image: Feilden+Mawson)

As he approved the plans, city council planning officer Robert Webb said the size of the place of worship meant it would have ideally been located in the city centre.

"However, regard has been had to the previous use of the land, and its occupation by the church, together with the close ties the church has with the Heartsease community," he said, adding that it would deliver a "significant new community facility".

Eastern Daily Press: Mount Zion Church, Family Life Centre which a serious fire has destroyed.Picture: James BassCopy: For: EN NEWSEN Pics © 2006 Tel: (01603) 772434Mount Zion Church, Family Life Centre which a serious fire has destroyed.Picture: James BassCopy: For: EN NEWSEN Pics © 2006 Tel: (01603) 772434 (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic � 2006)

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Eastern Daily Press: Mount Zion Church, Family Life Centre which has suffered a serious fire overnightPicture: James BassCopy: For: EN NEWSEN Pics © 2006 Tel: (01603) 772434Mount Zion Church, Family Life Centre which has suffered a serious fire overnightPicture: James BassCopy: For: EN NEWSEN Pics © 2006 Tel: (01603) 772434 (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2006)

As the plans moved through the planning process there were few objections, with Sport England saying evidence that the land was formerly used as a sports pitch was mitigated by the fact that the new building would provide facilities for sport and physical activity.

Eastern Daily Press: Fire destroys the Zion Family Church in Norwich in 2006. Photo: Simon FinlayFire destroys the Zion Family Church in Norwich in 2006. Photo: Simon Finlay (Image: Archant © 2006)

Historic England said the development sits within a former prisoner of war camp, which had previously been used as a military training area.

Eastern Daily Press: Mount Zion Church, Family Life Centre which a serious fire has destroyed.Picture: James BassCopy: For: EN NEWSEN Pics © 2006 Tel: (01603) 772434Mount Zion Church, Family Life Centre which a serious fire has destroyed.Picture: James BassCopy: For: EN NEWSEN Pics © 2006 Tel: (01603) 772434 (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2006)