Plans have been unveiled for a new church and community centre to be built alongside a Telford primary school.
More than 60 people arrived to see the proposals for St Luke’s Catholic Primary School, Trench, at a public meeting held last Monday night.
The application submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council is for an extension to the school to provide an area for ‘educational, community and church use’.
The new building would accommodate the local church which currently operates from the school hall. There are also plans for it to be used for mother and toddler groups, a senior citizens luncheon club, and early evening fitness classes or theatre groups.
It’s thought fundraising events and general community usage could also benefit from the new build.
Residents at the meeting commented on possible issues created by the build including noise, extra traffic and parking problems.
Yvonne Taylor, clerk for Wrockwardine and Trench Parish Council, said: “It was a pretty busy meeting. There were more than 60 people there. People who were concerned about extra traffic, parking and noise.
“People were also in support of the application. They think it would be good for the area for a community centre and church. It was a good turnout and the same amount of people were for it as there were against it.”
Parish councillors will be making recommendations to Telford & Wrekin Council on the plans at a future meeting.
John Joyce, spokesperson for the church, said: “The Diocese of Shrewsbury is co-operating fully with the planning authorities locally and remains optimistic that a satisfactory outcome can be achieved towards the establishment of a new church.”