Leicester: Church plan rejected by council over bat concerns

A church's plans to convert a disused warehouse in Leicester city centre into a place of worship have been refused.

The Universal Pentecostal Church submitted an application to renovate a building on the corner of Sanvey Gate and St Margaret's Way.

However, officials at Leicester City Council have turned it down.

They refused planning permission due to the "absence of adequate bat surveys" and concerns the scheme could harm the protected creatures, the decision notice stated.

The council also said the applicant had not provided details on how it would reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its new home.

It had told the authority the former furniture warehouse had been on the market since November 2022 with "no significant interest" from the industrial sector to bring it back into use.

The church said there could be up to 350 attendees during church services on Sundays, with smaller gatherings taking place throughout the week.

The proposal included 11 classrooms and accommodation for ministers.

The church has up to six months to appeal against the council's decision.

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