PLANS to build a new vicarage at the rear of the vacant building in Christchurch have been passed despite concerns from a local organisation.

The proposal for the four-bedroom vicarage in the garden of the vast, vacant parish home in Quay Road was approved by officers at Christchurch Borough Council, a move the chairman of Christchurch Conservation Trust has described as “scandalous”.

Last month, chairman of the planning control committee, Cllr Colin Jamieson said the final decision would be made by the planning committee on April 26.

This was after concerns were raised by the trust, who urged the council to refer the proposal to the committee.

However, last week, officers officially granted permission for the new building and access under delegated powers.

Roger Street, chairman of the trust said: “This is really bad news.

“It is scandalous that it should be allowed to be dealt with at officer level.

“This application is a matter of considerable importance.

“It is in the heart of the town and for a number of reasons it could and should have gone straight to committee.

“We do not intend to let it rest there.”

Cllr Colin Jamieson said: “The decision on the planning application for the vicarage was originally to be decided under delegated powers as there was nothing in the application process to suggest that it needed to be decided by committee.

“When I was approached about it I thought I would be in a position to call the application in to be decided at committee, however, after due consideration, it was realised that the opportunity to do so was past the call-in time.

“The decision to approve the planning application has therefore been made by our planning officers under delegated powers.”

The new vicarage will front Church Street and includes a double garage and demolition of part of an existing listed wall fronting Church Street.

The home, which will be of Georgian design, will be two-storeys high and is estimated to cost between £400,000 and £600,000.

Once the new vicarage is constructed the old vicarage will be sold on the open market.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Winchester said they were pleased the application had been granted.