THE couple behind plans for a new church in Grays have vowed to keep on fighting after Thurrock Council scuppered plans for them to take over a disused shop.

Rejection of the proposal was reported on Thurrock Nub News last week.

The Eagles Christian Connections church sought planning permission to turn 1 Kingston Parade, Hathaway Road, Grays, into a place of worship and a community hall.

The Pentecostal church aimed to use the unit during the week as a lively community centre with worship taking place on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm.

Pastor Tope Ekundayo hoped to run the church with his wife Elizabeth but their planning application has been turned down by officers who produced a report justifying their reasons.

The council said the change of use would result in the loss of a retail unit. The report says: "Yhe Council aims to protect retail uses unless it can be demonstrated that there is no long-term demand for such use to be retained or the proposed use would fulfil a particular community need."

It also cited potential parking problems as a reason to reject the proposal.

Mr Ekundayo, said: "Being disappointed is an understatement, but we are not really surprised although we wanted a change of approach by the council.

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"We know that since the application was put forward, we were going against opposition because we are a church even though we listed other benefits we are bringing into the community."

The pastor added: "The application was refused based on two reasons, one of them is parking. Honestly we all know that should never be a reason even from the eyes of laypeople, there is more than enough space to cater for us and this was proved by the consultant who did a survey. We are definitely not giving up on this."

The church had hoped to create a supportive community where "children and single parents can find solace, guidance, and a nurturing space for growth". It also aimed to open a foodbank in the former second hand shop.

The council received complaints from residents over a lack of adequate parking. Jayne Oliff of Hathaway Road, was also concerned about noise. Submitting an objection to the council, she said: "As a resident here of over 20 years. I'm very sorry to say that this change of use from a shop to a church would be totally wrong. Noise levels here are already at their peak.

"As this church would be housed within the same building of where I live I fear the noise would be overwhelming and resonate through the building into my flat. It's bad enough with people using the launderette leaving cars idling, banging car doors and talking on mobile phones they may as well be in my flat with me at times."