Plans to install a bakery and cafe at a church in Ross-on-Wye have hit a major stumbling block as the PCC and the Parish Council have withdrawn their support for the project.

BAcRG had applied for Listed Building Consent and Change of Use for The Daily

Bread project at St Michael and All Angels, Brampton Abbotts, which had involved seven years work by volunteers keen to breathe new life into the church building.

The PCC is an important stakeholder in the project, controlling both the carpark and churchyard.

A spokesperson for BAcRG said that there had been a number of meetings and regular communications with PCC representatives over the past 12-18 months and BAcRG had been given verbal assurances that the carpark would be made available to the project on mutually agreed lease terms. Although lease terms had not been finalised the planning application was submitted in good faith, with the aim of keeping the project moving forward, ensuring that once leases for both the building and carpark had been agreed and planning permission

secured, BAcRG could apply for funding that would see the church upgraded as soon as possible.

Wthout the carpark the project cannot be delivered and therefore BAcRG said that they have no option but to withdraw the planning application at this time.

The owners of the building, the Diocese of Hereford, and the Church Commissioners are fully in support of The Daily Bread project. Following the latest news the Diocese contacted BAcRG and offered to help seek a way forward for the project. The members of BAcRG hope that with further discussion with the PCC a solution can be reached that works for all parties, enabling the planning application to be re-submitted in the new year.