From Wigston People
Life and Light Gypsy Church has submitted an application to convert the former Aylestone Park FC ground, in Dorset Avenue, South Wigston.
Residents of the area have raised concerns after learning of the proposals this week, saying they feared the site could attract "big fat Gypsy weddings", similar to those featured in Channel Four documentaries.
However, church spokesman and spiritual leader Jackie Boyd said its congregation totalled about 80 people and it would not be hosting large-scale events.
"We're not going to be using it for anything other than worship," he said. "We have two meetings on a Sunday, Bible study on a Tuesday and a Friday prayer meeting.
"We've no plans to hold large events.
"Anyone is welcome – we're not only aimed at Travellers. We're a Christian organisation and anyone of any denomination can come along."
If given the go ahead, the 3,700sq m plot, which is being leased by the Travellers, would include a church and the existing car park.
The former football pitches and other land has already been earmarked for an extension to Saffron Hill cemetery.
Although the nearest homes are in South Wigston, the application site is in Leicester.
Planning officers from the city council posted letters to homeowners in the area telling them about the proposals.
Councillors said they had since been "inundated" with calls from worried residents.
Borough councillor John Boyce said: "If it was on the edge of town then I could understand, but this is in the middle of a residential estate.
"Residents had problems with traffic and parking when it was the football club.
"This will only bring the same issues."
One 61-year-old homeowner, who asked not to be named, said he feared hundreds of people would descend on the site should weddings be held.
"The parking alone will cause lots of disruption," he said.
Another resident, who did not want to be identified, said: "We're getting quite anxious about this."
Fifteen homes back on to one side of the site, with about 120 more in Dorset Avenue.
The city council said it had received 10 objections .
A public consultation is open until November 6. People can share their views via the council's planning page on its website or in writing.
A spokeswoman for the council said the application was for a place of worship and not a caravan site.
"In considering the application, we will look at things such as car parking and access and check these are adequate for the purposes the site would be used for," she said.
"If the application was successful, any usage outside of that for which planning permission was granted would constitute a breach of planning conditions and would be dealt with as such."
The council spokeswoman said the earliest the application could go to its planning committee would be November 27.
see also: The Leicester Mercury - Our reasons not to allow Gypsy church
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.