Religious group seeks to useold grain store for meetings

Jeni Harvey

CHURCH group The Exclusive Brethren has applied to turn an empty agricultural building on the edge of Rotherham into a Gospel Hall.

Members of the religious group, of which there are more than 40,000 worldwide, separate themselves from other Christians and also shun “the conduits of evil communications” such as television, radio and the internet.

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Brethren members in south-east Rotherham have applied to Rotherham Council to use a former grain store close to Croft House in York Lane, Morthen, near to the intersection of the M1 and M18 motorways.

Although the building is in green belt land and therefore developing it would usually be against planning policy, planning officers at Rotherham Council have recommended the application should be granted when it goes before councillors at a meeting tomorrow.

The officers say that converting the building to a Gospel Hall “would not form inappropriate development in this green belt location” and “would not result in any increase in harm to the open character or visual amenity” of the area.

They also welcome the fact that converting the building would prevent Brethren members from having to travel to existing Gospel Halls in either Moorgate, Rotherham, or Carterknowle Road, Sheffield - bringing about a reduction in travel of 7,000 kilometres a year.

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If the application were to be granted, the Gospel Hall would typically only be used on Monday, Friday and Sunday evenings by about 40 people, including children.

Although Bible readings are open to the public, the group says “it is not anticipated that there will be a high number of additional attendees.”

Six neighbours in rural Morthen have objected to the application, mainly on the grounds of the potential impact on the country roads. York Road, which would be used to access the hall, is described as a “single-track road in a poor state of repair” that would be unfit to carry additional traffic.

Another objector has complained that Brethren members who already attend nearby Croft House for meetings create a “loss of privacy to neighbouring properties.”

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One objector said: “There is no public transport into Morthen, therefore the proposed Gospel Hall would only be accessible to anyone outside the immediate vicinity by vehicle. This is not inclusive to all and is not sustainable.”

Another told Rotherham Council: “Morthen is not suitable for this project, it will alter the character of this small hamlet.”

A previous application for the Gospel Hall was withdrawn after council transport officers said York Lane was unsuitable to serve the development.

However, in the report set to go before tomorrow’s meeting, planning officers say that the situation has now changed.

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The report says: “The transport statement submitted with the application states that the proposals include the creation of a passing place halfway down York Lane and a road marking scheme to allow for a higher volume of cars to use York Lane without creating user conflicts.

“The transportation unit have no objections to these works and therefore are of the opinion that these changes will overcome their previous objections to the proposals.”

The supporting statement from the applicant states that the Gospel Hall will serve the Brethren community living in Morthen, Wickersley, Thurcroft and Brampton-en-le-Morthen.

It also states that music will never be played in the hall and it will be used primarily for readings and prayers.

Tomorrow’s planning meeting is due to take place at 9am at Rotherham Town Hall.

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