A proposal to rebuild a church in a village in Lancashire has been blocked by the council over fears it would 'dominate the street'.
The plans at Bamber Bridge Pentecostal Church in Chorley Road, Bamber Bridge, have also been rejected after concerns from a neighboring property owner about privacy and the building's size.
The church planned to replace its existing facility with a new two-story structure, reaching 32 feet in height, to better serve its congregation.
However, South Ribble Borough Council planning officers declined the application, citing the building’s potential to overlook a neighboring home and its disproportionate size compared to the surrounding area.
They also expressed concerns that the structure would "dominate the street scene" and negatively affect the character of the neighborhood.
The proposed design would have extended beyond the current building line, filling the entire width of the plot, making it significantly larger than the existing church. Many of the surrounding homes are single-story bungalows, adding to the council's concerns about the new building appearing "overbearing."
One of three public objections highlighted that the proposed side windows would face directly into a neighbor’s home, raising privacy issues. The neighbor expressed discomfort, recalling previous instances where individuals in the church's dormer window looked into their bedroom.
While the council suggested using frosted glass to address these concerns, it noted that internal lighting from the windows would still be visible.
Another objection praised the church's popularity but argued that the proposed replacement was "too large for its location."
Bamber Bridge Pentecostal Church were unavailable for comment.
It's congregation has several meetings on Sundays as well as in the week including youth and bible study groups.