PLANS to build a new place of worship for a growing congregation in Haverfordwest were given the thumbs up by Pembrokeshire’s planning committee last week.

The application from Adrian Vaughan was discussed in County Hall on Tuesday, April 8.

It sought full planning permission for the erection of a place of worship, together with ancillary community facilities on land west of Withybush Road.

The building will include a 500 plus person auditorium, reception area with a cafe area leading off, a kitchen, creche, four seminar rooms, a youth room, as well as office spaces.

The scheme will provide 86 parking spaces, a drop-off facility to the front of the building, together with landscaping.

Planning officers recommended that the proposal be approved subject to conditions.

Councillor Peter Stock welcomed the application.

He said: “It gives me great pleasure in moving to approve the application. This will be a magnificent building by the time it’s completed.

“It’s great to see this development at a time when so many churches and chapels are closing across the country. Here we have a great success story.”

Councillors were unanimous in voting for the recommendation for approval. Their decision was greeted by a loud cheer in the public gallery, with 30 to 40 members of the congregation gathering to her the outcome.