I am interested in hearing from those who live in the vicinity of 35 Sunderland Road, this is the old Constitutional Club. It is in the process of being bought by The House of Favour Church as their, as they call it Treasure Land. Do you live close by, will you have trouble with noise and or parking issues.. we are trying to determine those that may have objections...thanks...Paul

From the extent of the work going on already I assumed they had planning permission already.

Sister lives opposite and already has parking issues, so im sure she would have something to say.

No...they do not have planning and were storming ahead with no care for anyone or any regulations..we have forced them now to go for planning as of a few days ago..so we now have a voice...so we need as many names of people as possible...thanks...Paul

In fact we are trying to build up an idea of what it is like living beside an evangelical church...do you have any experience?...I would be interested to hear from any of you... thanks

Given the disrespectful parking by most churches these days, I can see the road and junction becoming a nightmare in no time.

I will indeed pass this on

Yes please see link re parking yesterday all over pavement by W H Smiths . These were church goers from the old pool hall.

And I always thought church goers were the ones to look up to, and set examples to the rest of us.

Fingers crossed things dont turn into another nightmare location.

I fully respect peoples wish to worship, but so sad that the days of walking to the local church are long gone, and people insist on travelling to different areas, and no caring about the locals who they cause issues for.

About 5 or so years ago ( time flies ) another church took over the old church in Devonshire Road. Up to then there had been a right of way from DR to David's Rd. The Church simply blocked this up.
I and others did complain at the time , I believe at the early beginnings of se23.com. People agreed it had been a right of way but said it would not be insist the church opened it up again.
Also I agree the church goers all seem to come by car. Either they come great distances ( one wonders why not a local church ) or they are very lazy.
Mass parking on the pavement outside W H Smith and Sons is totally unacceptable. Not sure any wardens on Sundays so who is going to prosecute.

How can they be allowed to get away with this? There is already enough parking problems on Sunderland Rd with the Friends Meeting House (Quakers), Lewisham Labour Party HQ, and visitors to Waldram Park Rd and the lower end of Sunderland Rd which forms part of the South Circular. And I agree with previous comments these churches do seem to attract people from outside the immediate area as noticed from those attending the evangelical church that took over the old methodist church building on Stansted Rd.

According to their website the House of Favour church has a conference taking place this week at 35 Sunderland Rd from Wednesday to Sunday and the opening ceremony is on Saturday. Yet the place still resembles a building site!

I will be interested to see that meeting take place.
Does seem silly that such places can get permission without any true consideration to the parking and traffic implication.

Just like some of the recent housing plans too, like 14 Waldram which has permission for 9 apartments.... and where will THOSE cars be parking too. Oh of course I forgot 90% will use public transport and bicycles and not own a car.

Chris
House of Whose Favour ????
Should there not be a limited to the number of churches in an area.
Seem to have so many now.
I should not worry about lack of parking spaces these people park on pavements and double park. No hassle.

[Post moved to this thread for more info - admin]

Does anyone know what is going on at 35 Sunderland Road?

It was the Constitutional Social Club on the bend facing Waldram Park Road.

There has just been submitted an application for change of use within its existing development class D2 to make the lower and ground floors available for community use, including church services and christenings.

In the planning statement there is a letter from the council indicating a church requires to be in Class D1. The applicant argues church activities would be minimal therefore a change of class is not required.

A website already shows the address as a church with the applicant and wife as the pastors.

So...is it or isn't a church?

I hope the Congregation are more considerate with their parking than those who use the ex snooker hall near the station. On Sunday's these very devout people park totally on the pavement outside Smith's

Ah...I see.

It seems to be a Pentecostal church with a West African leadership. It appears that it is being formally inaugurated as a church this weekend - see http://www.hofic.org.uk/coming_events.html.

If it calls itself a church, if it's activities are that of a church, if it is run by a pastor, and does not currently have any activities that are not connected to being a church - then it almost certainly is a church.

Having read the planning application, and having viewed the website, I feel it is a real shame that this church is attempting to misrepresent its activities to get round the law.

I would be interested to hear from anybody who attends this church or the activities that say they run 98% of the time that allegedly make it a community centre rather than a church.

Lewisham Council planning department have recognised that this is a church that requires D1 not D2 use. As such a proper (retrospective) planning application will need to be submitted if this is to continue as a church. This will allow neighbours to voice their opinions regarding if this is the correct location for a church and appropriate times of services in this residential area.

Until such a planning application is submitted, my understanding is that use of this site as a church is against planning permission.

Decision: Refused

Apparently...

There is now a planning application for 35 Sunderland Road. Finally, after 18 months or so they decided that they are infact a church. I only saw the application this week and the deadline to make representations for or against is 13th April 2010.

If anyone has concerns about the planning application (excessive noise/increased traffic/reduced parking to name a few ongoing issues) please take this last opportunity to be heard and contact the planning team. Details on the link below.

Planning application DC/09/73066/X

http://acolnet.lewisham.gov.uk/LEWIS-XSL...mkey=58484

I am extremely concerned about their choice of name more than anything else- House of Favour etc sounds more like a brothel than a church. I will be objecting out of principle.