MEMBERS of a York Christian group are considering their next move after councillors rejected their “visionary” plans to turn a former pub into a church and community centre.

The Living Word Church wants to convert The Fossway, in Huntington Road, York, to house a day nursery, a youth club, place of worship, centre for debt and marriage counselling and a centre for other uses.

Coun Richard Moore praised the idea, saying: “I think this is a highly imaginative use of the building. It will bring it back into use and it will provide services for the residents.”

However, the east area sub-planning committee rejected the plans on the casting vote of its chairman, Coun Keith Hyman.

“I think it is a visionary scheme for this building, but I don’t think it is right at this stage,” he said.

Councillors were concerned about parking arrangements and doubted claims by the church that there was sufficient demand for the private nursery, which it is hoped will provide financial support for the rest of the scheme.

David Lavery, the church’s pastor, said after the meeting: “We will go back to the church again. We have already spent many thousands of pounds. We don’t feel we have been fairly treated.”

Matthew Staples, a church trustee, said it would consider making a formal complaint to the council.

He claimed its planning officers had not responded to the church’s requests for meetings to discuss the application before it went to the committee.

The scheme was backed by the Muncaster residents’ association, and the Dodsworth residents’ association, for whom Robin Rawson disputed council officers’ claims there was insufficient parking at or near the site.

The church’s architect, Glen McGowan, also presented details of a parking survey to the meeting.

The nursery would have created nine full-time jobs and would not be under the church’s control. The Living Word has 40 members from 12 families.