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Mega-church appeal fails
Mira Bar-Hillel and Katharine Barney04.09.09
Plans for an 8,000-seat "mega-church" in east London have been rejected by Communities Secretary John Denham.
A planning application from Kingsway International Christian Centre was refused by the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation in February last yearafter objections from Havering council and the local community.
The church appealed and a three-week planning inquiry took place in March.
The council said the site, in Rainham, is a key regeneration area in the Thames Gateway and should be developed as a business park.
The same argument was presented successfully this year to the Government, which had considered putting a prison there.
The effect of such a large venue on the local environment, roads and residents was also a concern.
Mr Denham agreed with the inquiry inspector, who had cited the poor access and conflict with employment policies.
Reader views (4)
Its a shame that LDA has treated KICC in this way. After taking over its original site, I thik KICC deserves a better deal from LDA than this. Yes, the reasons given are quite acceptable but I know similar concerns were raised when the residents of North Harrow kicked against the Islamic multipurpose building project around Station Road in Harrow. The case was lost and the permit was granted. Such inconstiences only strenghtens the argument that the church or Christians are gradually being marginalised in this country. Conversly, whilst the press is singing the death of the Church in the UK, one is gladden to hear that there is a church in London attracting such a huge attendance. KICC don't give up God has a better plan for His Church. The Church is marching on and no one can prevail against her.
- Akin Akinola, Willesden
What a superb result for the residents of this part of Havering. The 'mega church' was a totally unsuitable project for the location the LDA to relocate this church and they need to take a good look at themselves for their dealings with the KICC.
I have no problems with the church, their methods or their desire to have their cathedral, but not in an area designated for employment and high quality employment at that. the KICC had offered very little of this to our residents and saw education as a way around this.
they also had very little travel plans that did not add to the problematic A13 and the reduced sunday services that Rainham offers would never cope with the huge strain on it.
I echo M.Tylers comments that now that the issue is settled the LDA can now try and attract businesses to this area that will benefit both employers and hopefully local people as employees.
I can sympathise with the church with their plight, but they must have been kidding themselves to think that beam reach was a suitable location. They should be housed where they originated and where the vast majority of their worshippers live and we all wish them the best of luck in their search.
- Mark Stewart, Rainham, Essex
The only reason the KICC even bothered to pursue this application was because the London Development Agency (LDA), the site landlord, offered it to them as part compensation (and oudles of cash) for moving off an Oylmpic site. The LDA had no legal means to overcome planning regulations but thought they could slip the application under the radar. It was only the power of local residents led by Adamsgate that stopped a thoroughly bad plan from blighting the area. Shame on the LDA for even trying.
- Graham Williamson, Essex
Thank goodness common sense has prevailed. Whoever came up with the idea of putting a church with a Sunday congregation of 8000 and who holds regular conferences - the August event attracts 120,000 people over 8 days - in the middle of a business park with car parking for just 1200 cars and no public transport needs their heads examined. Perhaps now we can at long last use the site for its intended purpose and bring much needed jobs to the area.
- Madeleine Tyler, Rainham, Essex.
