The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is a Christian fellowship driven by care and compassion. Members of the Church have lived and worked in the UK for nearly 200 years, and we are committed to serving our local communities, including through extensive charitable activities.
Further information can be found on our website: www.plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch.org
The existing building at Debden Green was originally constructed for agricultural use and later converted for use as a Gospel Hall in 2012.
While it has served the congregation well for more than a decade, the layout of the building and surrounding site no longer provides the level of safety, accessibility and facilities expected of a modern place of worship.
The proposals therefore seek to replace the existing building with a purpose-built Gospel Hall that provides improved facilities and a more appropriate layout for the site.
The proposals would replace the existing building with a new single-storey Gospel Hall on the same site.
The site has operated as a Gospel Hall since 2012, and the use would remain unchanged. The proposals represent the improvement of an established place of worship rather than the introduction of a new activity.
The proposals provide several benefits, including:
- A modern place of worship for the local congregation
- Improved safety through a clearer and more organised parking layout
- Improved accessibility and internal facilities within the building
- New landscaping and biodiversity improvements across the site
The replacement Gospel Hall will also continue to support the Church’s charitable activity in Uttlesford through the Rapid Relief Team and other local initiatives.
The site has operated as a Gospel Hall for more than a decade and attendance patterns are well established.
The proposals do not introduce a new use or extended operating hours. The number of people attending the site would remain consistent with the existing arrangement, and the proposals would not result in an increase in traffic.
Services will continue to take place outside peak travel times, as they do currently.
Members of the congregation often attend services as families and car sharing is common. A recent survey of attendees indicates an average of around three people per car, helping to minimise the number of vehicle movements associated with the site.
The proposed Gospel Hall will be single storey in scale and designed to reflect the agricultural character of the surrounding area.
The building adopts a barn-inspired form, with materials including dark stained timber cladding, brickwork at ground level and a grey roof. The design seeks to integrate sensitively with its rural setting.
The Church expects to submit a planning application to Uttlesford District Council in 2026.
Subject to approval, construction of the new Gospel Hall is expected to take around 12 months.
Construction will be managed responsibly with measures in place to minimise disruption to local residents.
Public consultation will run from 13 April 2026 to 8 May 2026.
During this time local residents and stakeholders can review the proposals and provide feedback.
A webinar presentation will also be held on the 29th of April at 6pm, as part of the consultation period, where members of the project team will present the proposals and answer questions.
All feedback received will be carefully reviewed before a planning application is finalised and submitted to Uttlesford District Council.