A CHURCH which hoped to open in a former children's play centre in Ockendon has had its plans refused by Thurrock Council.

The Lighthouse Church submitted an application for change of use to turn a vacant children's play centre in Arisdale Avenue, South Ockenden into a place of worship.

The council received a raft of letters both in support and against the application, which said the church hoped to provide a "vibrant and inclusive community focused church".

The council received 39 responses opposing the church, with concerns raised including a lack of parking along with extra noise and disruption.

Francesca Oriordan of Arisdale Avenue, said: "With the place of worship set to reach a capacity of up to 150 people, this will result in an unacceptable level of noise and disruption to a quiet residential place.

"This would be due to the large gatherings, music, amplified sounds and extended hours of activity including mornings, evenings and weekends.

"Living right next to the proposed premises, this would have a detrimental effect on my two young children and impact their quality of life and those of our neighbours."

There were 22 letters of support, with residents saying it would bring people together in a positive and meaningful way and contribute to the local community as a "much-needed amenity".

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Francois Neyerlin-Beale said: "I believe this is a good use of the building given the failed previous business which was not viable.

"It's better to see a building utilised by the local community than left empty and not used.

"There is a lack of community buildings and a growing demand of organisations that need space."

However, planning officers (the matter was not decided by the planning committee) refused the application and said: "The proposal would, by virtue of the size of the car parking area and likely size and scale of the use, fail to provide an adequate level of off street parking provision within the application site.

"As a result, parking associated with the site and its proposed use would highly likely unacceptably migrate onto the adjacent highway and surrounding areas resulting in harmful impacts to highway safety."

Officers added: "The proposal would, result in an increased activity at the site and an intensification of the use that would result in additional levels of noise, disturbance and disruption to surrounding residential occupiers harmful to their amenity."