Quakers seek permission for new Ludlow house

The existing meeting house in Corve Street, Ludlow requires substantial work to make it fit for purpose and meet the requirements of the congregation.

Under plans submitted to the council's planning department, it is proposed that the existing meeting house be demolished and replaced with a new structure.

The building was first used for meetings in 1977 and was built between 1886 and 1903.

The new meeting house would have an entrance on to St Mary's Lane and an annexe which can be accessed both from the meeting house and from Corve Street.

It would accommodate 60 people to worship 'in the round' and the annexe would provide additional facilities including a multi-use room and two new toilets.

According to architects KDA of Leominster, the design aims to create a quiet place for worship 'that sits modestly within the existing context'.

A design and access statement said: "On entering the building, visitors will be drawn towards a view to the garden before they turn to enter the meeting room along the glazed west side of the building."

The annexe would create a useable room which would provide spaces to support those in the meeting house and also be independent.

Skylights and increased glazing would allow the meeting house to be flooded with natural light, enhancing the 'play of shadows and sunlight on the exposed timber roof structure'.

The architect adds: "The proposed footprint of the new building will not extend beyond the garden wall to the existing meeting house. The area to be incorporated in to the new building is currently paved and therefore will represent no loss of habitat for protected species."

The area has been identified as a place Swifts like to roost so recommendations made by the Ludlow Swift Group to install Swift boxes or bricks in to the build of the top gable of the annexe will be followed.

Quakers, or Friends, are members of a historically Christian group of religious movements formally known as the Religious Society of Friends or Friends Church.

Members of the various Quaker movements are all generally united in a belief in the ability of each human being to experientially access "the small light within", or "that of God in every person".

Friends gather together in silent worship and there is no plan on how the meeting will proceed, and actual practice varies widely between meetings and individual worship services.

The plans will be considered at a date to be set.