A FORMER golf driving range in Grayshott could become a meeting hall for a global Christian community if planning permission is granted by East Hampshire District Council.
Evangelical Christian movement, The Brethren, which has an estimated 26,000 assemblies nationwide, want to convert the former Tri Golf Centre next to Applegarth Farm, in Headley Road, into an assembly hall for religious worship and charitable works.
Although the planning application has currently been declared to be invalid and awaiting further information, because it doesn’t include its plans for a new access and car park extensions, proposals for the new venture are well ahead.
The proposal includes a dedicated area for the Rapid Relief Team (RRT), the Brethren’s charitable arm which assists the wider community, emergency services and other organisations, where there is a particular need through tragedy or crisis.
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The Brethren involves both fellowship and integration as vital components, which aim to support and nurture the social fabric of society and members attend daily meetings to support their prime life objectives of Christian worship, faith, fellowship, teaching and social values.
The proposals include converting the existing structure at the driving range into a meeting hall for 300 people, with associated facilities.
The building is planned be converted both internally and externally, within the confines of the existing building.
It is planned for the major part to become the main meeting room with the wings of the driving range providing other facilities, such as a kitchen, toilets, meeting rooms and the RRT room.
In addition to the conversion of the building and extensions, there are an additional 75 car parking spaces planned, and a separate access is proposed. The former golf range, which closed in 2014, shares its access with the Applegarth Farm shop and cafe?.
In March, CALA Homes, was given the green light to build 80 new homes on the Applegarth Farm site, as an ‘enabling development’ to fund the expansion of the Grayshott family business.
The Brethren currently hold meetings in halls at Camelsdale, Passfield, Liphook and Fernhurst, with the main meeting hall at Parkway Gospel Hall in Fernhurst. The application has been submitted, because the Fernhurst hall is too small for the group’s services.
If the Grayshott plan is approved, the Applegarth centre would become the main asembly hall, with the other centres used for smaller meetings.