Last updated at 19:46, Thursday, 02 August 2012

Work to replace windows in Harrington Methodist Church has had to be halted half way through because of a mix-up with planning permission.

New windows were put into the lower floor of the church, which houses the church hall, before it was brought to the church’s attention that planning permission was needed.

The Rev Nicola Reynolds said: “There has been a lot of misunderstanding. The planning permission and building regulations have been applied for and we are fully aware that things might have to change.

“We have learned a lesson from this and we will put our hands up and say we made a mistake.”

The church has been fund-raising for new windows for two years.

The single fibreglass panels which they hope to replace have been in since the 1960s and make the building cold and dark.

Mrs Reynolds said: “With help from the whole methodist circuit we have raised about £17,000 and the church folk themselves have raised just over half of that.

“The bill for the heating is over £3,000 a year and we are hoping to reduce it by half if we get all the windows in.

“They were single fibre glass panels before and a few winters back they froze on the inside.

“They are so dark that people thought the church was boarded up.”

She hopes that when the work is completed more community groups will use the church.

However, Allerdale councillor Hilary Harrington said she had received some complaints from residents who felt that the new windows were not in keeping with the building.

Kevin Kerrigan, Allerdale council planning manager, said a retrospective planning application had been made.

He said: “Should the planning application be granted, there would be no need for enforcement action.”

First published at 19:22, Thursday, 02 August 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk