WORSHIPPERS and villagers are rising to the challenge of saving their Grade II-listed Norman church - by winning permission to open an artisan bakery and cafe there.

Herefordshire planners have given the go-ahead for St Michael’s church in Brampton Abbotts near Ross-on-Wye to be used to house an artisan bakery and café as part of a community campaign called ‘The Daily Bread’.

The change of use, which follows a £215,000 community fundrasing campaign to fix the unsafe roof, means the church can also reopen for worship again 12 years after being closed on safety grounds.

Brampton Abbotts Church Regeneration Group posted after last Thursday’s decision: “We are pleased to share the news that yesterday Herefordshire Planning and Regulatory Committee granted planning permission and listed building consent for ‘The Daily Bread’.

“BAcRG is taking a break for a few weeks and will be back in action in September with new energy to work on our forward plan for the next phase to bring St Michael’s back to the heart of the community.”

The new scheme includes internal works for the bakery and café and the creation of a mezzanine floor using the fabric of the pews.

Permission was granted despite opposition from Brampton Abbots Parish council and some residents.

They raised concerns over a lack of parking, disturbances due to operating hours from 4am, extra light and noise.

Parish council chairman Robert Lewis told planners: “An artisan bakery is not a suitable project for a historic building like St Michael’s Church.

“Concerns were raised about the term of light industrial use in the planning application and how this would adversely affect the community.”

David Teague, speaking on behalf of a group of concerned residents, told last Thursday’s planning meeting: “The church is in an idyllic, unique and quiet rural area in an area of outstanding natural beauty and in close proximity to a group of houses.

“Allowing the bakery to be in use for six days a week with start at 4am and the café/restaurant open every day up to 10pm on a Friday and Saturday has to be excessive.”

But Hereford archdeacon Derek Chedzey said they had the support of the Diocese of Hereford and the Church Commissioners.

“This plan has not come out of the blue, it has had a long and careful history with many options being rejected on the way,” he said.

“Over £400,000 of grant funding was obtained to restore the building.

“This application has significant public benefit. Historically churches were community facilities and there is strong evidence from across the country that many churches often had brew pits for beer and bread ovens to provide food for the poor.

“They would have been at the heart of the community, not just for life events such as births, deaths, marriages and worship but as social gathering places and community spaces.”

Ward councillor Barry Durkin claimed there was no agreement with the parochial church council for the use of the car park.

“I have had an email from a member of the PCC that says about the heads of terms for the car park lease have been agreed – this is not accurate,” he said.

“The email says they have agreed several key terms but have several points outstanding. As it stands, all the flow of traffic and parking would rest on that very narrow lane.”

Despite the concerns, the committee approved the scheme by 10 votes with one abstention on condition an agreement is arrived at regarding car parking.