A home in Stafford could be transformed into a spiritualist church following a planning application submitted to the borough council.

The application requests permission to change a 'dwellinghouse' on Eccleshall Road into a 'church assembly building with maisonette over.'

It continues: "The proposal involves the occupation of the existing building by the Spiritualists National Union for religious worship, teaching, healing and community activities together with ancillary facilities including a church hall, healing rooms, library, social facilities and a residential maisonette.

"The proposed internal layout includes a main church hall, healing room, library/social room, café area and associated facilities.

"The proposal also provides six off-street parking spaces."

An application was refused earlier this year for the same project due to noise and parking concerns.

One individual, whose home is near to the potential church, commented: "The property is located in a residential area and the change of use will mean significant numbers of people will be attending the property, creating noise and disturbance by definition of its intended use as an 'Assembly hall'.

"This will give rise to even more traffic on this already busy road, representing a danger to the people living in this residential area, some of which are disabled and elderly.

"In addition, there are a number of families with school age children navigating crossing the Eccleshall road everyday on their way back and forth from school."

In response, an acoustic assessment has been submitted as part of the new application.

The assessment states: "A scheme of noise mitigation measures has been proposed that will ensure noise from the internal proposals will not be detrimental to the amenity of nearby occupants.

"Sound levels through the separating floor from church services, along with external sound from gatherings in the rear garden will be low and will not cause loss of amenity to adjoining residents.

"It is recommended that the development meets noise-related planning requirements and should be approved on noise grounds."

A transportation report has also been undertaken.

It concludes "that there are no highway or transportation grounds upon which planning permission should be withheld and the proposed development should be considered acceptable from a highways and transportation perspective."

However, some people living nearby are not reassured by the reports as the new application has received negative comments.

One person said: "The Sunday Service will attract up to 40 people.

"Imagine the sound of doors slamming from 15-odd vehicles after 5pm and 9pm on Sunday plus the increased noises from some of the vehicle engines.

"As I live almost directly opposite the property, I am very concerned about the level of vehicles there will be parked around the area and the increase in noise level.

"The garden gatherings of up to 50 people will increase the noise level for the area.

"Can't imagine what it will be like living next door to the property whilst there is a garden gathering of up to 50 people."

View the application here.