CATHOLICS in Christchurch are battling for the right to demolish an old church and presbytery to open the way for a bright new church centre.

Christchurch Borough Council refused two planning applications for the centre at St Joseph's Church in Purewell on the grounds it would result in the loss of either the old church and/or the presbytery and open up views of modern buildings in a conservation area.

A four-day planning inquiry began yesterday to decide the issues.

Planning inspector Gyllian Grindey inspected the buildings before the hearing continued in Christchurch Council Chamber yesterday.

Counsel for Portsmouth Dioscesan Trustees, Matthew Reed outlined the main issues.

He said the proposals will give "a public face to the actual living part of St Joseph's Church to the benefit of the whole community".

"In short, the proposals will provide benefits which decisively outweigh any loss arising from the demolition of these buildings."

Council barrister Peter Harrison told the hearing neither building had to be demolished "to allow for construction of the parish centre buildings and the church wishes to use the land on which they stand for car Parking provision".

He argued the buildings measure up to seven of the 10 points in the English Heritage guidance on conservation areas.

They include being part of a historic group of buildings in their original form and matching other buildings nearby.

Parking issues could be overcome by the relaxation of on-street parking controls on Sundays or the use of council car parks, he said.

The inspector will make her decision after considering the evidence.

First published: November 4