WORSHIPPING hours have been extended for a new church in South Wonston after civic chiefs permitted the applicant's plans.

Trustees of a new gospel hall, to be built on the current site of Venta UK in West Hill Road North, asked to extend Sunday worship from the original planning permission, from 8am-6pm to 5.30am-9pm, to allow for Holy Communion.

In a bid to reduce the impact of potential noise, the Winchester Gospel Hall Trust said no musical instruments would be played, no music would be played outside and worshipper a would be asked to enter and leave the site regarding the local residents, in accordance with the noise management plan.

Cllr Stephen Godefroy said: "The applicant wants to be able to use the permitted development to move out of South Wonston. At the moment the 6am services take place in the community members' homes and there have been no complaints. There was once an incident when one car drove onto a gravel surface and that was the only noise complaint.

"There are two dwellings close to the site but it doesn't matter how many people are affected, if one family is affected, that would not be right to permit the development. I would draw your attention to the experience of residents on Park Road, where they've been operating services at 6am and 9pm without complaints and concerns. It is possible to co-exist. I am quite confident the use of the hall, occupied by peaceful members of the South Wonston community, will make every effort to not disturb their neighbours."

Cllr Malcolm Wright said: "Sunday is a day of religion and of rest. This proposal would allow for 10 maybe 20 cars to pass through the village in a very short time and at 5.30 in the morning. This would be unacceptable to people living there, with cars passing through the village. This proposal will clearly be detrimental to the health of some residents of South Wonston. People can celebrate their religion but they must be considerate and reasonable."

Cllr Dibden said: "I'm enormously sympathetic to your religion but I'm also sympathetic to people who are asleep at 5.30 in the morning."

Cllr David McClean said: "The brethren are respectful. They are quiet."

Cllr Iain Tait added: "The brethren have gone far and beyond what is necessary what would be considered responsible to the local community. I'm pleased to support this community who are very responsible members of the wider Winchester community."

Councillors voted in seven to two in favour.