Plans submitted for new church hall at Swinton

The development at St Margaret’s would replace a dilapidated old building off the premises which was sold a few years ago.

The previous hall – nearer to the town centre – had been used since the 1930s but fell into disrepair.

Land on which the replacement will be built was bought back in 1972.

The church has carried out consultation, with nearly 200 responses. These showed a demand for a venue to hold family social occasions and community events like fundraisers and coffee mornings.

Planning papers filed with Rotherham Council say: “The aim is for it to be eye-catching and of the 21st century without it being overtly modern in style.

“The new building aims to work around the root protection area of a number of high value trees but requires the removal of a single tree planted since the land transfer in 1972.”