PLANS for a new church in Christchurch have been given the go ahead by the council.

The proposals by GodFirst Church for 15 Airfield Road were approved by Christchurch Borough Council's planning committee.

The development at the former home of Curtiss-Wright will conclude a 20-year search for a home.

Duncan Lee, senior pastor at GodFirst, said the church has a history of supporting the people of Christchurch.

"GodFirst is a church which wants to serve this town," he said.

"We're a growing church of over 250 members, contemporary in style, but not just about our Sunday meetings or our Sunday services.

"We really need some sort of facility that enables us to progress the good work that we have been doing over the last 30 years as a church."

A motion to grant the application was put forward by Cllr Denise Jones and seconded by Cllr Peter Hall.

In giving his support for the scheme, Cllr David Jones said: "Faith without works is dead.

"This is a church that has faith and is seeking to express it in the community by service.

"There are indeed other churches which are very active in this part of my county council division, but this hopefully will be another beacon to carry the light forward into a world that grows ever darker."