A CAMPAIGN to prevent a church hall being built on a graveyard is still going, four months after the scheme was granted planning permission.
Members of St John's Church in Redhill were given the green light to construct the two-storey hall on the site of graves, to the north of the church building, by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council in October.
The church says it will provide much-needed space for the Sunday school and councillors who agreed to the plan praised the building's design.
But residents living close to the building in Church Road say they are determined to continue to fight the development, which would involve the remains in a number of graves of people who died up to 150 years ago, being disinterred and reburied elsewhere.
They complain they were not adequately consulted, that the building is not needed, that the development will increase traffic and add to parking problems, and will harm the conservation area.
Steve Canham of Kings Avenue said: "It will change the character of the whole area, that is our main objection, as well as digging up the graves."
Richard Brown of Fairlawn Drive said: "Redhill has got very little heritage.
"A lot of the landmarks have gone and one of the things people always comment on is the vista of this lovely church surrounded by a churchyard. That is going to be spoiled."
Deidre Price of Kings Avenue added: "We are very concerned about the use of this building. We can see it being rented out, with all the extra traffic, parking and noise. It is such a massive hall."
The campaign group has launched a Facebook page, a petition, a Friends of St John's Conservation Area website, and has printed 1,000 leaflets publicising their concerns about the development.
The protestors claim few residents were aware the development was going ahead, and the "vast majority" are opposed.
They are protesting to the council, arguing there was not adequate consultation, and say they will pursue their complaint with the local government ombudsman if necessary.
