A historic Earl's Court church is set to become a religious studies school for up to 200 students despite 'outrage' from neighbours over the application.
Kensington and Chelsea Council decided last night that Grade II* listed St Jude's Church in Collingham Road, Earl's Court, which was built in 1870, should be transformed into a training centre for would-be theologists.
The new school would share the space with the Earl's Court Community Project, the Ladybird nursery, a drop-in centre for the homeless and an alcohol and drugs counselling group.
But the application has drawn letters of objection from 25 households which surround the Victorian building.
Despite support from the reverend Ginny Thomas from nearby St Mary's Church in the Boltons, others have voiced 'outrage' about the lack of public signs announcing the planning application. Many are concerned that students will increase the numbers of visitors to the nearby communal gardens.
Another Courtfield Gardens wrote: "The influx of so many people to our quiet residential square, even if they are theology students, is not welcome."
A council report, written by the planning department, explained that residents who were not informed of the plans were given an extra 21 days to object. The report added that the church has no right of access to the garden, besides as use for children from the Ladybird's nursery. Two new trees are expected to replace felled cherry trees.
