MP joins residents in opposing church project for city centre

residents and an MP have objected to plans to convert a disused building on the edge of Leeds city centre into a church.

Local members of the United Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG), a Pentecostal church formed in 1977 in Brazil, have submitted plans to convert a vacant building in North Street, near the Hansas restaurant and the Reliance bar.

Church leaders want to create a congregation space, altar, seating for around 176 people, a classroom and prep room.

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They want to turn 62 North Street into a book shop while number 64 would house a font and cafe. Basements would provide toilet and storage, another font and an office.

Proposed opening hours would be 6.30am to 10.30pm, during which time there would be a pastor present. There would be four services a day with the main service on Sunday mornings.

Services are said to be formal and “interactive”, the congregation encouraged to say their prayers out loud.

The congregation currently stands at around 80 people, according to a council planning officer’s report.

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The venue, if given planning permission, may host large national or international events.

But the planning application is being opposed by residents and Labour MP Hilary Benn.

Fifty seven letters of support have been received by the council from members of the United Church of the Kingdom of God and 31 letters have objected to the plans.

Objectors include Mr Benn, 23 residents at nearby Merchants House and the owners of two commercial properties, the Reliance bar and Mountain Intelligence Ltd.

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One letter of objection has come from Coun James Monaghan, a resident in the flats above the proposed church premises.

Objectors say that a church is not a suitable use for a residential area and that the loss of two retail units on the parade would have a damaging impact on the viability of the rest of the parade.

They have pointed out that when Leeds Arena and the Eastgate developments are operating, North Street will be an attractive retail destination.

People living in nearby flats say the building is not soundproofed and their lives will be affected by noise and music coming from the church.

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Residents have also claimed that former drug users could be among those visiting the premises.

Supporters of the plans have highlighted the positive influence the church has had on their lives and says the proposed new site would be a more accessible location than the church’s existing premises on Dewsbury Road, Leeds.

The letters from church supporters say that the UCKG church will “provide significant benefits to the local community and the city of Leeds through their charitable activities and support.”

A report to members of the city council’s plans panel city centre concludes that the planning application should be refused.

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It says: “The UCKG currently operates from a site on Dewsbury Road and is seeking to relocate to a more central location.

“The site at 62-64 North Street would provide a more central and accessible location.

“The site does not raise specific highway safety concerns and mitigation measures could limit the noise transference to the flats above.

“However, the proposed mitigation measures are not guaranteed to overcome concerns relating to the structural transmission of noise and the impact on the amenities of the local community from the general comings and goings of what would be significant numbers of people.

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“As such it is considered that this is not an appropriate building for the proposed use, therefore the application is recommended for refusal.”

Members of the planning committee meet to discuss the plans on March 10 at the Civic Hall.