APPLAUSE rang out from objectors when Stockton councillors turned down a church's plea for new premises.

A packed public gallery at the town hall was delighted to hear the planning committee's decision on a bid by Norton Baptist church to convert offices in the middle of an apartment block for services and other activities.

In contrast to the protesters' jubilation, the church was this week silent on the issue. The minister, the Rev Graham Prest, said: "I don't think we would wish to comment on this."

The committee heard scores of people had objected to the plan to change the use of the centre block at Claymond Court in Darlington Lane to a church.

Residents were worried about noise from music events, parking, devaluation of property, teenagers attending a youth club and the thought of funerals taking place on the premises.

The issue also caused controversy among councillors.

The committee chairman, Coun Mick Stoker, said he had been advised that ward Coun Kath Nelson should not take part in the decision-making as she had submitted a letter of objection.

An angry Coun Stephen Smailes said: "Members are not going to be allowed to vote at all if we continue down this road. It is the ward councillor's job to represent constituents, and it is wrong that he or she should not be allowed to take part."

Coun Smailes said he could not support planning officers' advice to approve the application.

"It is our duty to listen to the people in the community," he said. "There are enough grounds to have this rejected. I have every sympathy with the church, and we as a council should try to help the church to find a suitable location."

The committee was told the building already had a 1983 planning permission for use as a leisure and health centre. This was never implemented, and the centre block was used as offices.

Planners felt use by a church would not be more detrimental than that of a leisure centre, which had been agreed in principle, and that permission could be subject to operating hours of 9am to 9pm.

Coun Smailes said: "Any activity would create noise, and times have moved on since 1983. We would be doing a disservice to the people who have bought flats surrounding the block.

"It would cause many problems for them."

Coun Smailes moved refusal of the application.

Coun Chris Coombs agreed that Coun Nelson should take part in the debate and vote, but Coun Stoker said he had to stick to legal advice.

Coun Jenny Beaumont seconded the motion.

"There have been many changes in traffic since 1983," she said. "This is a happy church and, as a result very noisy, and we have to consider that element."

Coun Stephen Walmsley said: "People are entitled to peace and quiet."

Coun Nelson said: "This is a totally unsuitable site for the church. There would be noise and traffic disruption."

She said more than 70 flats out of 89 had objected to the plan. The application was refused by eight votes to two.