A place of worship in Bedford wants to be open for longer and to grow in size after it submitted two planning applications to Bedford Borough Council.
The first application (24/02209/S73), is for a change to the hours of operation condition put in place when planning was approved to convert the offices at First Floor, 2 – 6 Cauldwell Street in May.
The decision notice (reference 24/00240/COU) included three conditions, with number three setting out the hours of use.
These were set as Monday to Saturday, 9am to 8pm and Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
The planning officers said that this was to “safeguard the amenity of adjoining occupiers and in the interests of parking provision and highways safety, in accordance with Policies 31 (i), 32 (ii, iv) and 47S (ii) of the Bedford Borough Local Plan 2030”.
The applicants said they are seeking for more “flexible operating hours”, to not only “enhance their ability to serve their community” but also remove the need to keep returning to the council for more changes in the future.
Adding that will also enable them to “accommodate growing demands” and expand their services seamlessly.
They also intend to host conferences and specialised programmes that occur outside of their normal schedule.
These events often require flexibility in extending their service hours, so they are asking the council to consider 07.00 to 01.00 Monday to Sunday.
And explained that this would mean:
- Sundays first service (Morning): 10am – 12 noon, youth service: 2pm -3,15pm, 2nd service (Evening): 6pm -8pm
- Wednesdays Midweek Service: 7pm – 9pm
- Last Friday of each Month Monthly Crossover Service: 10pm – 12.30am
- New Year Crossover and Celebration Service: 10pm – 1am
The applicants said it is “crucial” that they have the leeway to operate beyond the current restrictions.
The second application (24/02196/COU) is to offices on the 1st Floor 7-8 Cauldwell Street to a place of worship.
The applicants said the application approved in May included numbers 2-6 but “should also have included numbers 7-8 which forms part of the building”.
More information can be found on the council’s planning portal.
The overall consultation expiry date for both applications is Wednesday, 18 December 2024.
The planning statements do not name the applicant, but Google states that the First Floor, 2 – 6 Cauldwell Street is occupied by Glory And Fire Ministries International.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
