1:02pm Monday 15th March 2010
By Alex Willmott
A SMALL community of Christians are hoping to set up a base on a Rossendale business park.
Plans have been submitted to turn a business unit in New Hall Hey, Rawtenstall, into a place of worship for a growing Valley church.
Members of the independent Gateway Faith International have earmarked the commercial site as an ideal spot to expand in the coming months.
Rev Ken Fitzsimmons said: “Everything is at the early stages but we feel we are at the right point to move forward as a church now.
“We are looking to establish our-selves as a church in Rawten-stall and the New Hall Hey site would be a temporary spring-board venue to help us grow.
“In time we would look to serve the wider community of Rawten-stall after we find our feet.”
Less than two years ago the site was earmarked for a new Aldi supermarket, shops and office units but the plans stalled when owners Hurstwood Develop-ments went into administration.
Last March a proposal had been accepted by the council and KPMG Administrators to invest £1million to bring the interior furnishings to a finished state to attract tenants.
Planning officers from Rossendale Council will now discuss the plans and carry out a visit to assess whether or not the site is appropriate for a church.
Rev Fitzsimmons added: “There are no other churches in the immediate vicinity so we would not be looking to step on any-one’s toes.”
If plans are accepted the church’s 16 members will meet every Sunday at 10.30am and on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
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