History of the Project
The current church hall was built in the 1960s and has served the church and community well for many years. Sadly, it has reached the end of its life and was officially closed on 21st July 2019. The two double decker buses outside the church currently serve as temporary meeting space.
We propose to replace the old church hall with a new building designed flexibly to support a range of uses and activities. It is intended to provide an important multi-purpose resource to address pressing local needs. It will enable the church to continue to serve the local area and will provide an important community facility for current and future generations.
.
We propose to replace the old church hall with a new building designed flexibly to support a range of uses and activities. It is intended to provide an important multi-purpose resource to address pressing local needs. It will enable the church to continue to serve the local area and will provide an important community facility for current and future generations.
.
|
In order to provide sufficient space, the new building is proposed to be larger than the existing hall, “wrapping” around the east end of the church in a manner which respects and celebrates the architecture of the existing building. The new building will extend forward towards the road in order to be welcoming and accessible.
At the end of 2017 we held a community consultation in which local residents, hall users and other people with an interest in the project were invited to view our plans and share feedback. Responses were very positive and some amendments were made to the designs to address local residents’ suggestions. |
|
For more Detailed designs and supporting documents comprising our planning application (reference DC/19/112087) can be viewed on the Lewisham Council website - https://planning.lewisham.gov.uk/online-applications/
Our planning application was submitted in April 2019. Significant local support was registered for this application and the Council received no local objections. However, the Council's planning officers recommend refusal on the basis of one non-local objection. A petition was organised in order to demonstrate local support for this project (accessed at http://chng.it/hvKYtzjG). It was signed by over 2000 local people!
Our planning application was considered by Lewisham Council on Thursday 14th November. We were delighted to have been supported so well by our local ward councillors and in particular Colin Elliott who spoke in our favour at the meeting. The discussion was full and the final decision incredibly close (we were so thankful to those councilllors who were supportive of our application) but sadly the council did not approve our plans. We are thinking and praying about our next steps.
The total estimated cost of the new building is £3.7m. Fundraising for the project commenced in 2009. £1.8m has been raised so far, without any external appeal for funds. We have about half of this sum so far. Our Development Fund document is on our website extract development fund. Our “justgiving” page can be accessed by https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/stmildreds
We invite everyone to join us in seeking God’s will as we pray, plan and take the project forward.
Our planning application was submitted in April 2019. Significant local support was registered for this application and the Council received no local objections. However, the Council's planning officers recommend refusal on the basis of one non-local objection. A petition was organised in order to demonstrate local support for this project (accessed at http://chng.it/hvKYtzjG). It was signed by over 2000 local people!
Our planning application was considered by Lewisham Council on Thursday 14th November. We were delighted to have been supported so well by our local ward councillors and in particular Colin Elliott who spoke in our favour at the meeting. The discussion was full and the final decision incredibly close (we were so thankful to those councilllors who were supportive of our application) but sadly the council did not approve our plans. We are thinking and praying about our next steps.
The total estimated cost of the new building is £3.7m. Fundraising for the project commenced in 2009. £1.8m has been raised so far, without any external appeal for funds. We have about half of this sum so far. Our Development Fund document is on our website extract development fund. Our “justgiving” page can be accessed by https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/stmildreds
We invite everyone to join us in seeking God’s will as we pray, plan and take the project forward.
|
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6 |
|
