'Racism' claim over block on giant church

A ROW between Britain's biggest church and Hackney Council could leave thousands of Christians in east London without a place of worship.

The Kingsway International Christian Centre claims Hackney has unfairly blocked its planning application to build a 5,000-seat church in Woodberry Down, Stamford Hill. Hackney says it has no objection and the delay is due to fears about car congestion.

The Pentecostal church regularly attracts 7,000 people on Sundays and is housed in a 4,000-seat auditorium, but the eight-acre East End site it stands on is due for regeneration within four years.

The 12million Woodberry Down project was approved by the council three years ago and the church has had experts carry out a study which it says shows traffic won't be a problem, but planning officers are demanding more details.

A Hackney council spokesman said: "They need to provide us with a plan to show us how they will sort out car congestion."

Kingsway's pastor, the Rev Matthew Ashimolowo, 48, said: "We have done everything the council asked." He said the new church would be well-served by Tubes and buses and would ferry worshippers to and from stations.

Nigerian-born Mr Ashimolowo claimed: "There is an undercurrent of racism in all this." Plans for a private Jewish girls' school and public park on the site have been approved.

It has been alleged that members of the orthodox Jewish community oppose the black-led church's move. But local Rabbi Abraham Pinter said: "You wouldn't live in Stamford Hill if you weren't prepared to live in a multiracial community."

Deputy Mayor Laz Oleforo, who has complained of the church's treatment, said: "The issue has been narrowed down to traffic problems. Hackney officials and KICC are working together to see that this will be resolved."

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