A RENEWED bid has been launched to transform one of Caterham's long-standing eyesores into a church and community building.
Oak Hall Church, which has been in the town for 120 years, is seeking to set up home at the former Aon Insurance office block in Chaldon Road.
The site has lain vacant and decaying since the firm pulled out in 2005.
The church's previous bid to develop the site was approved by Tandridge District Council (TDC) five years ago.
But church leaders did not proceed with the plan because the council's restrictions on opening hours – 8am to 6pm for outside areas – were too prohibitive, they said.
Its latest proposals call for a church/auditorium along with a youth centre, classrooms, arts/IT building, and 90 parking spaces.
Oak Hall's numbers have steadily grown to more than 300.
But its base in Francis Road, Caterham – where it was first established way back in 1894 – can only contain 100 worshippers.
It has to use de Stafford School in Caterham as an additional temporary home on Sundays.
David Hughes, one of the church's leaders, told the Mirror: "We are proposing a modern, landmark building which will serve Caterham.
"Our auditorium would be a big open space to hold youth activities and other events.
"Everything would be contained within the building, to avoid the use of outside areas."
Sports, crafts and IT activities are envisaged there, as well as counselling sessions.
John Orrick, the county councillor for Caterham Hill, said: "Developing the derelict site in this way should have positive benefits for the community.
"It would be an enormous improvement on what is currently there.
"There were issues with traffic and parking in Aon's time there but hopefully they can be resolved."
But James Ball, who lives in Chaldon Road, said in his comments to TDC: "There is already too much traffic on the road.
"There is going to be noise and disturbance from people at night, and parking is already a problem."
The plans will be discussed by TDC in the New Year.
