Plans to move ahead with establishing a new £460,000 Christian Centre in the Queens Park area of Billericay have been announced by the town's Methodist Church.

The Church Council has decided to proceed with the major building project on a site next to the Somerfield store and the Queens Park shopping area following a referendum of its congregation.

It is hoped a starting date and building programme will be confirmed in the coming months.

A spokesman for the Methodist Church said: "The building will be a Christian Centre open seven days a week to offer Christian friendship and hospitality as well as opportunities for worship and evangelism.

"It is intended to build on community links and respond to specific needs in the neighbourhood particularly among children, young people and older people.

"There will be opportunities to share in work with other Christians and the building might also offer some space for voluntary groups."

Although the centre scheme has council approval it has sparked controversy in the past.

Cllr Matt Barr, of Billericay East, has this week restated his opposition to the proposal.

Cllr Barr said: "I feel it is an appalling decision to allow this development on this site.

"I believe it is over development and the negative impact on the surrounding area outweighs the needs of the Methodist Church."

The church currently meets at Hannakins Farm Community Centre in Rosebay Avenue each Sunday and has been based in Queens Park since 1992.

The church spokesman said: "The work has developed and we felt the need for a building to continue this growth.''

A referendum was carried out throughout the church at the end of last year.

According to the church it showed a vast majority of the congregation backed the plans and also triggered a great deal of general and financial support.

The church spokesman said: "The outcome was a clear decision to go forward, having considered all the difficulties honestly and fairly.

"With so many aspects already in place it did not seem right to let go of a unique opportunity.''

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.