A WINCHESTER church wants to revamp its site to provide a new community centre.

St Barnabas Church, in Fromond Road, Weeke, is in talks with the city and county councils to improve its parish hall and community rooms.

The project would also include a new children’s play area and more parking at the rear of the church, which serves Harestock, Teg Down and Barton Farm.

Rev Philip Cochrane, parish vicar, said he was in talks with the city and county councils over the project but that it was at a very early stage.

He said: “As a growing church, we have a renewed vision to better serve the people living and working in these suburbs but the size and quality of our buildings is limiting.

“It’s all early doors at the moment. The church is supportive of the idea, so we have involved the city and county councils who are going through their internal processes.”

Rev Cochrane added the project was not related to North Winchester Your Community Action’s plans for a new community centre in Weeke.

He said: “We want to help enhance community facilities in Weeke. We are not trying to get in the way of what they are trying to do and we wish them well.”

Snug Projects revealed it was working with the church on the new building in July.

But Paul Bulkeley, Snug director, said: “There is nothing happening on this at the moment. It’s on our books but these projects can sit around for years before anything happens. It’s in its very early stages and there has been no consultation with the public yet.”