CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a new Baptist Church Centre and house for a minister, on land at Ridgley Road in Chiddingfold, have been recommended for refusal by Waverley planning officers. If the proposals were given the green light the main church part of the centre would include an assembly area and a baptismal pool, with seating for over 200 people. The centre would also have a creche, two meeting rooms, a kitchen, office, plant room, counselling room and male, female and disabled toilets and showers. Parking for 21 vehicles would be provided with a nearby doctors surgery car park available at busy times, out of surgery hours. The Coombe Lane recreation ground car park could also be used during the week and a secure cycle parking area would also be provided. The application also proposes building a two- storey house in front of the church building. This building would have four bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room, lounge, study and two parking spaces. The plans have divided the village, with Waverley Borough Council receiving 50 letters of objection and 60 letters of support for the scheme. The objectors to the buildings believe the village does not need a new church at the expense of Green Belt land and claim the proposals would benefit only a small number of villagers. Other objections include concerns over parking and traffic along Ridgley Road, setting a precedent for the area and whether there is a genuine need for the facilities. Objectors argue many supporters of the scheme do not live in the village and would not suffer from negatives aspects of the application. But supporters of the plans claim the proposals will support the whole village community and not just those attending the Baptist Church. They believe the church has outgrown its current premises and needs the new buildings to continue to develop and the application would be totally in keeping with the area. Supporters claim the current chapel is inadequate for the needs of the church and does not have enough parking. They also argue the main use of the church would be on Sundays and this would mean the proposals would not have a major impact on traffic. A survey carried out by Chiddingfold Baptist Church, in the village, claims 99 per cent of people responded positively to a new church centre with community facilities. However, despite the efforts of the church, Waverley planning officers concluded the application would be an "inappropriate development in the Green Belt." Officers believe the proposed church would be "a large, poor quality building" which would be visually intrusive, reduce the openness of the Green Belt and "have a material and harmful impact on the landscape." Officers were also unconvinced the church had justified the need for such a large building in the location. The application will be discussed at a meeting of Waverley Borough Council's development management committee, at the council chambers in Godalming, next Wednesday, August 29, at 7pm.
