FAQs

Who are the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church?

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 and philanthropic activities. 

Further information can be found on our website: www.plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch.org

The current Gospel Hall was adapted from former agricultural and employment use and was never purpose-built as a place of worship. While still in use, it no longer meets the needs of the congregation. 

In response, the Church is developing a new, purpose-built Gospel Hall that provides a modern, fit-for-purpose place of worship for the local congregation. 

The existing building at the front of the site will be returned to employment use. This will help to support the local economy while ensuring that the Church has a purpose-built Gospel Hall to the rear of the site. 

Smaller, poor-quality structures will also be removed, and the frontage improved through landscaping to open up views from Luffenham Road. 

  • A modern base for charitable and community activity, supporting the work of the Rapid Relief Team, a charity made up of volunteers from the Church.  
  • Returning the existing frontage building to employment use, helping to support local economic activity. 
  • Improved views from Luffenham Road through the removal of poor-quality frontage buildings and sensitive landscaping. 
  • Delivery of a Biodiversity Net Gain exceeding the minimum required national standard of 10%, providing new native trees, flowers, shrubs, and wildflowers across the site, which will also help soften any visual impact 

In line with similar Gospel Halls across the country, around three services per week are anticipated to take place. These typically fall outside peak travel times, such as evening services during the week (after 7pm) and a regular Sunday morning service. This is in line with the established service schedule.

The Church expects to start work on site in early 2027, having received planning permission in March 2026.

Construction will be undertaken in a responsible manner, with a construction management plan agreed with Rutland County Council to minimise any impact on local residents. 

The site is already in use as a Gospel Hall, and is centrally located for the local congregation. It is therefore well-equipped to accommodate vehicles entering and exiting the site on Luffenham Road. Our proposals have been developed to reflect this existing use while still being sensitive to the capacity of Luffenham Road and other neighbouring roads. Services at the Gospel Hall will continue to take place outside of peak travel times to ensure there is no detrimental impact on the local road network.  

The congregation makes extensive use of car sharing (on average four people per car), which will keep traffic impacts on the surrounding roads to a minimum. The site is also within cycling and walking distance of Ketton, supporting sustainable travel. 

The Church expects to start work on site in early 2027, having received planning permission in March 2026.