Church's plans to replace shed with shipping container criticised

A church’s plans to demolish a timber shed and replace it with a shipping container for more storage space has kicked up a fuss in Silchester.

On Thursday, March 13, Silchester Parochial Parish Council applied for permission to carry out the plans on the grounds of St Mary the Virgin Mission Church on Bramley Road.

Since last Thursday, multiple residents as well as Silchester Parish Council have objected to the plans, with most of them particularly against the look of the shipping container.

Steve Spillane said: “The proposal to site an industrial container in a rural area adjacent to public footpaths is not suitable for the importance of the historic nature of the area.”

Verity Nash described the proposed container as “unsightly” and said it was “not in keeping with the natural surroundings of this historic Roman village”.

The parish council gave three reasons for its objection.

It stated that the structure was not in-keeping with other buildings in the area, it described the container as “an absolute eyesore”, and it said there was another “perfectly good” building that could be used for storage.

In response to the criticism, a church representative said: “The church has a requirement to store equipment in order to support essential fundraising activities as the generosity of regular donations alone does not cover the running costs of the church.

“The church has signalled to the planning officer that it is open to clad or screen any storage solution to help it blend into its surroundings.”