Pagham church plan gets council backing

The members of the parish council's planning committee made no objections to the 2m scheme. They have passed their verdict to Arun District Council which will make the final decision.

St Ninian's United Reformed Church members want to build a new church and community facilities on the site of the existing buildings along Pagham Road.

The current hall and manse will be knocked down and the present church turned into a new hall.

The new church, with room for 75 worshippers, would be sited in a semi-basement at the bottom of a 3.5-storey high tower. The proposal also includes nine one and two bedroom flats over three floors. Pagham Parish Council chairman Cllr Ray Radmall said after the committee meeting: "Members took into account the stated commitment by the church to continue to provide public amenity facilities for local residents.

"They felt this was a better option than for the site to be redeveloped solely for housing."

The committee's decision was also based on the fact it had not received any public complaints or comments about the church plans. But it was accepted by the members that the scheme was out of character with the surrounding buildings.

"The inclusion of housing within the proposal was acknowledged as being essential to the continued viability of the church and its amenity provision," he added. Reservations were expressed by the committee members about the potential of the semi-basement to flood. But it was decided to leave any comment about this matter to the Environment Agency.

The new church design is based on a Martello tower and will be about the same height as the area's tallest building, nearby Nyetimber Mill, and slightly taller than the adjoining village hall.

St Ninian's is more than 40 years old. A foundation stone in the church is dated December 14, 1965.

But the church currently attracts just 20 people to its Sunday service.

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