Ed FossMeetings to discuss a plan to knock down and rebuild a Sheringham church drew concerns from local people who are worried about increased traffic blocking local roads and the sheer size of the new planned church.Ed Foss

Meetings to discuss a plan to knock down and rebuild a Sheringham church drew concerns from local people who are worried about increased traffic blocking local roads and the sheer size of the new planned church.

As reported , leaders of the town's Baptist church on Holway Road want to rebuild the current aging building to accommodate a growing number of members, especially in the younger generation.

The increased numbers of churchgoers has seen youth groups held in the homes of volunteers because of a lack of space in the existing building.

Two meetings were held for local people to discuss the plans with the team which has put them together.

Garden Road resident Linda Hardy said the rebuild might be acceptable if it was smaller, lower and of a different colour, but in its present form it was unacceptable.

'It would be so intrusive if it was built as the drawings currently show,' said Mrs Hardy.

'I would lose the view I have of the sky and I'm not the only one.

'There is also a big problem with the cars that come to the Sunday services at the moment, often parking so we struggle to get our own cars out of our drives. This redevelopment would mean even more people, more cars and a bigger problem with parking.

'It's a lovely building but it's in the wrong place.'

The church has submitted a pre-application proposal to North Norfolk District Council which outlines plans for the two-storey building and the next stage is to consult townsfolk, of which the weekend events were part.

Sheringham architects Stead Mutton Associates have created the proposals, which would include an area with seating for about 300 members as well as a number of teaching rooms, meeting rooms and a nursery.

In September it had weekly attendances of between 300 and 360 people, including 143 adults and 38 children for Sunday worship.

During the summer, the congregation can increase by 40pc as visitors join while on holiday and the church has, for several years, had to hire Sheringham High School to cater for them.

Any questions or comments on the proposals should be sent to info@steadmutton.co.uk, or Stead Mutton Associates, Town Hall, 43 Church Street, Sheringham, NR26 8QS.