Wolverhampton council blocks plan to convert church into Sikh temple

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 07:19 · Archive

Wolverhampton council has rejected a plan to turn a former Methodist church into a Sikh temple.

City of Wolverhampton Council has rejected a proposal by Miri Piri Afghan Charitable Trust to remove a planning restriction on the former Wednesfield Methodist Church on Wood End Road. The 1982 condition limits the building to use as a church and hall.

The council's planners said removing the restriction would allow occupation by a wider range of religious organisations. They rejected the application, citing insufficient evidence that the change would not increase attendance, vehicular movements and parking demand. The site is outside a highly accessible area and located on a classified road with significant traffic volumes.

The council noted the building provides limited off-street parking and said the applicant failed to demonstrate that available parking would meet the needs of an unrestricted place of worship. The former Methodist church, which closed in 2017, has previously seen applications to convert it into a nursery rejected twice by the council.

How it is being reported

• Plans to remove restriction on empty Wolverhampton church for Sikh temple rejectedCity of Wolverhampton Council has previously rejected moves to convert the building into a temple and a nurseryBirminghamLive · 10 Oct, 07:00
• Plans to turn former Wolverhampton church into Sikh temple blockedA council has again blocked a move to turn a former church into a Sikh temple.Express & Star · 9 Oct, 02:00

In this story: City of Wolverhampton Council · Miri Piri Afghan Charitable Trust · Wednesfield Methodist Church · Wolverhampton

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