RESIDENTS say they hate plans to change their local church – saying it’s like putting lipstick on a pig.
St James’s Catholic Church in Tiverton, Devon has won planning permission for a spire and belfry with two bells.
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The bells will ring for 15 minutes six times a week – much to the annoyance of neighbours.
Kevin Finan, 71, slammed the plans in a letter to Mid Devon District Council.
He said: “While it is accepted that a bellcote is a traditional feature, it should be noted that the purpose of church bells was to inform and call nearby worshippers to church services.
“In today’s circumstances the inclusion of a bellcote will not serve any practical purpose in communicating with worshippers.
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“Indeed the only outcome from the inclusion of the bellcote will be to antagonise the local residents of Old Road whenever the proposed bells are rung.
“This may well lead to noise complaints and become a source of friction between neighbouring residents and the church community.”
Councillor Les Cruwys said: “It’s one thing moving into a beautiful little village and buying a lovely cottage next to a church.
“But this is the opposite; the church bells are moving in next to them.
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“Bells are not there to call people to the service any more.
“People come from further afield and will not hear the bells anyway.
“I cannot agree with the officer’s recommendation to support this, unless it’s minus the bells.”
But councillor Rachel Gilmour backed the plans – which involve doubling the size of the church and joining it to the presbytery.
She said: “Henry VIII destroyed the most beautiful Catholic churches in this country.
“If the Catholic church wants to extend this one in Tiverton and stick a belfry on top, then that’s fine with me.”
Planning agent Keri Parkinson said the two 51kg bells would be struck with an electric ringer and produce a sound in the range of 100 to 125 decibels.
She told the council: “From an internet search, it seems that this should equate to 70 decibels from street level, which it states is less than average traffic noise and a ringing telephone.
“It is worth us noting that these are Catholic bells and not Anglican.
“It is most unlikely that more than one bell will toll at a time apart possibly from at the end of a wedding service.
“A Catholic bell tolls dead hung in a fixed position.”
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“Anglican bell ringing can involve eight bells or more ringing for three hours for a full peal and for half an hour at a Sunday service.”
Councillors supported the application with a number of conditions that limit lighting on site and stipulate bells should only be rung when services are taking place.
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