Hall given go-ahead to be transformed into church venue

APPROVAL GRANTED DESPITE CONCERNS OF RESIDENTS

- By EMILY DALTON Local democracy reporter

PLANS for a former 1920s cinema to be transformed into a modern church venue have been given the green light.

A global movement of local churches has found a new home in Weybridge Hall.

Elmbridge Borough Council sold Weybridge Hall to Equippers Church for £1.2 million in November last year.

Members of the council’s planning committee approved the scheme last week.

Equippers Church hopes to revamp the venue into an auditorium of about 400 seats, with kitchen space near the foyer, and additional meeting rooms on the first, second and third floors for community and religious use.

Kath Wallace, who lives near the hall, said the decision "means we lose our peace and quiet and safe access to our road".