AN attempt to change planning rules to allow African churches temporary use of industrial buildings has been rejected.

Bexley Council Tories pilloried the move as “ill conceived and flawed” saying it “encouraged people to think they could operate outside planning rules”.

Proposing the change, Labour group leader Councillor Chris Ball argued the churches provided valuable social services to the community.

Yet while they found it difficult to find accommodation, large industrial buildings continued to lie idle.

He said the council needed to build flexibility into the planning system, otherwise the borough would lose the churches and their community work, while the empty industrial estates would remain.

In his support, fellow Labour councillor Munir Malik said the motion only proposed temporary permission to use industrial buildings for worship for up to five years.

He said there was little demand for the industrial buildings.

Cllr Malik added: “This goes to the heart of what councils are for.

“We are not here to enforce rigid rules.”

But planning committee chairman John Fuller said the facts did not back Labour’s claims.

He said 40 such churches were already operating within existing planning rules, with five in negotiations and only four churches outside the rules.

Tory councillor Philip Read accused Labour of “trying to hijack the fears and concerns” of the churches.

He added: “There is no substance to Labour’s phony anger.

“It has led the church communities up the blind alley of Labour’s need for publicity.”

Cabinet member for regeneration, Councillor Linda Bailey, said she recognised industrial units could be empty for some time, “but we must be in a position to let the buildings once the economic situation improves”.

She added: “It would be difficult to attract new businesses if they see these buildings already in use.”

But she conceded there could be some flexibility in locations designated as secondary employment areas.

Cllr Bailey said: “No one can be above the law and everyone must apply for planning permission.”

THE issue was first raised in July and prompted a such a furious row, the council meeting had to be adjourned for 30 minutes.

Then, more than 200 church members and their families had packed the public gallery for a motion proposed by Councillor Chris Ball, Labour opposition leader.

He was unable to attend because he was supervising a school trip and Tories refused to extend the time allowed for motions to be debated, telling the church members they would have to come back in November.

Last week only a handful of church members were at the council meeting.

Tory John Fuller, planning committee chairman, said: “We have had meetings with the pastors and been on visits to their premises and our success is evident by the small number of people here.”

Cllr Fuller said the council would shortly be issuing a guidance booklet designed to help them through the planning process “instead of wasting their money putting in applications and appeals”.