COUNCILLORS have given permission for farmland near St Peter's Church at Eype to be used as a visitors' car park despite concerns over road safety.

Members of the district council's development control west committee were told that up to 40 events a year were being planned as part of the church's new dual role as a community arts centre.

Senior area planning officer Andrew Jordan said the Rector, the Rev Dr Ray Shorthouse, was seeking change of use permission for the nearby field to accommodate up to 75 vehicles.

There was no proposal to put down hard standing and the field would only be used to provide additional parking in connection with events at the church. Permission would be restricted to two years to allow its use to be reviewed.

Mr Shorthouse told councillors the church had been facing closure within five years. But now, thanks to a £200,000 donation from the Walbridge Trust, its future was not only guaranteed but it also faced the exciting prospect of promoting the arts.

Of the 40 events planned a year, there would be around a dozen major ones attracting some 40-50 cars while the remainder would see some 20-30 vehicles parked on the field.

The committee heard that several local residents were concerned that the increased number of cars in the village would cause traffic dangers and add to congestion.

"To encourage this number of vehicles up Mount Lane, a single lane road into Eype, will cause immense congestion problems," wrote village resident Mr Dave Young.

And Nicola Rossiter warned: "It will also cause disruption at the junction to Eype - a junction which has already caused loss of life - and will be far more dangerous now thanks to this development."

County highways' officer Ian Madgwick confirmed that his department had no objections to the proposal. But he welcomed restricting permission to two years so that they could reassess the traffic situation if necessary.