AN "overwhelming majority" of people are against plans to demolish Eldwick Church following a public meeting to discuss its future, those fighting the scheme have claimed.

Trustees have proposed a £1million plus development to either replace or expand the 121 year-old church, on Otley Road, as its growing congregation of Anglican and Methodist worshippers needs more space.

A new-build, which the church estimates could cost around £1.35 million, would include an octagonal glass coffee area at the front of the building, but initial plans attracted criticism from some villagers for looking like a "medical centre or supermarket."

An extension, which could increase the capacity of the church from 90 to 150 seats, has been estimated as the more expensive option, at around £1.65million, but is acknowledged by all parties as being the more popular choice.

Eldwick historian and author Allan Mirfield said he spoke at the public meeting asking whether it was feasible to avoid demolishing the church.

"The overwhelming majority of people in the village are opposed to the demolition, but nobody has any objection to an extension," he said.

"One of the missions of the church is said to be outreach, but how can you have this policy if there is little notice taken of the feelings of the community.

"People regard the church as an iconic building and part of our heritage, and they want it retained in some form.

"There are still a lot of questions to be answered about costs and VAT, and I would question how a final decision can be made when lots of issues are still to be understood.

"Some people are saying change is inevitable, but the decision is still up in the air, and a sympathetic extension would be a very viable alternative."

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Alan Brown, chairman of the church's project board, said proposals for both the new-build and extension had been presented at the meeting.

"The final scheme will have to meet certain criteria," he said.

"The church has got to be appropriate for worship, but also community use.

"We are taking into account cost and the disruption to the building, but we are also taking the feelings of the community into account."

Mr Brown said feedback from the public meeting would be fed into the AGM of church members in March, when a decision on the building's future could potentially be made.

"Both options are still on the table," he said.

"We acknowledge that many people have a strong desire not to have a new-build, but some people also spoke about being bold and creating something for the future.

"The impact on the relationship with the local community is certainly one of the criteria we will consider when making the decision."