MULTI-MILLION pound plans for a church in Christchurch to move into a new building across the road have been submitted.

Christchurch Baptist Church has applied to BCP Council to build a replacement next door to its “inadequate” Victorian facility.

The plans have been drawn-up as part of its ‘2020 Vision’ aimed at providing a “more welcoming and practical” church base.

The existing Bargates building first opened in 1900 and has been expanded and altered several times since.

Despite this work, it is still not large or modern enough to cater for its 300 members.

“Although our adapted and enlarged Victorian building has served us well, our facilities are now holding back our ability to fruitfully serve our local community and the church body,” its minister, Chris Brockway, said.

“Our two morning services are full, our children’s and youth ministry has run out of space, our community groups are bursting at the seams, and our facilities are generally no longer fit for purpose.

“Now is the time to find a long-term and viable solution, not only for our current purposes but also for the generations to come.”

The application seeks permission to demolish the existing building at 51 Bargates and replace it with the new church.

Mr Brockway said the new building would create a “warm, open and welcoming place” with more floorspace for halls and meeting rooms.

A commitment has been made for it to have step-free access, a lift to each floor and a specialist Changing Places toilet facility.

Should the new church be built, it would have more than double the floorspace of the existing building and include new meeting and activity rooms.

Funding of just under £500,000 has been secured to buy 51 Bargates.

But it is estimated the remaining cost for the whole project is about £3.5 million and the church is hoping to cover this through donations and the receipt of some grants.

The application will be considered by council planning officers in the coming months.