PLANS to extend a church in Broadstone to provide a new entrance and community space have been approved by Poole council.

St John’s Church in Macaulay Road currently has an “uninviting northern façade to the main road”, according to architects.

Its adjacent church hall is used frequently by pre-school and community groups, and the building is sometimes unavailable for events after christenings, weddings and funerals.

In a design and access statement, Morgan Carey Architects explained the new extension would improve facilities at the church and help free up the church hall.

“The ability to provide a church office/reception and meeting rooms adjacent to the church would provide an immediate improvement in site management and enable the church to be open for longer periods.

“It is important/desirable that facilities currently located within the adjacent church hall site are provided adjacent to the existing church building in order to fully utilise the church building - particularly in providing suitable office/reception, meeting and toilet facilities without the need to travel the relatively long distance to the hall, when considering elderly and disabled users.”

The church, which was built in the late 1800s, is not a listed building but Poole council planning officer James Gilfillan did consider the effect of the contemporary extension proposed on the historical site before approving the plans.

“It is a readily accepted approach to extend a historic building by adding a contrasting contemporary styled extension. In doing so the original building can readily be identified and, as in this case, can be preserved and better used for the benefit of future generations,” he said.

The new, single-storey extension on the north side of the church will provide an entrance atrium with a separate meeting room area, as well as toilets, offices, and a kitchen.

As part of its proposals, the church consulted with the local community and discovered they were not all aware of the location of the church, despite it being on Dunyeats Road and near local schools.

Morgan Carey Architects said in their statement the extension provided the opportunity to “enhance the presence of the building”.