RESIDENTS seeking to turn an unused methodist church into a 'village hub' have spoken out against plans to turn the building into a house.

Several people congregated outside the church in Freeland, near Witney, on Thursday to protest against an application to change the use of the building from a place of worship to a residential dwelling.

The demonstration was organised by the Freeland Community Benefit Society (FCBS) management committee, which aims to transform the venue into a hub, incorporating a shop and cafe.

Residents started putting these plans into action when they formed the Freeland Village Hub Steering Group in July last year, shortly after the church closed for worship.

In February, the group gained permission to change the use of the building to a shop, cafe, and non-residential institution.

But last month, Edgars planning consultancy submitted plans on behalf of The Witney and Faringdon Methodist Circuit to change the church, on Wroslyn Road, into a dwelling.

One member, Mike Gilbert, who is a planning consultant, believes this would be a missed opportunity for the village.

He said: “The conversion of the listed church to a house would destroy its historic character, so the current planning application should be refused.

"Planning permission has already been granted to use the Church as a community hub as there is a pressing need for such a facility in the village.

"The church has only ever been used for community purposes and, given the urgent need for a community hub, it needs to continue to do so.”

In April 2017, the building closed for worship and there are fears its condition could deteriorate if left in its current state.

Since then, the FCBS has made 'significant progress' in its plans to set up a village hub.

Alaa Al-Yousuf, district councillor for Freeland and Hanborough and co-vice chairman of the FCBS, believes the hub could make a huge difference.

He said: “There’s a high degree of social loneliness and isolation among the elderly and retired, so a hub would be a huge addition to the community and address this serious problem."

The Witney Gazette attempted to contact The Witney and Faringdon Methodist Circuit for comment.

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