Church nave to become shop

Plans to change the use of the west part of the nave at grade II listed St Leonard's Church, Green Lane, Yarpole, into a village shop and post office were approved by members of Herefordshire Council's northern area planning sub-committee on Wednesday, September 19.

The shop will replace the current temporary arrangement of a portable building sited on land next to the Bell Inn car park. Permission for this expires in April 2009.

Bill Bloxsome, Herefordshire Council's conservation manager, said: "The introduction of new uses into churches is generally to be welcomed and I consider the principle here to be very positive in bringing greater use to a building at the heart of the community."

Three letters of objection were received and one in support.

Yarpole Community Group Project sent a questionnaire to all households in the parish and 85 per cent of them were in favour.

Any physical alterations to the church building would require separate planning permission and listed building consent.