PLANS for a £2.9 million Christian Community Centre in Stroud have sparked uproar among residents who say their cherished views of Rodborough Hill will be blocked.

There are proposals to replace the Christian Community Centre in Cainscross Road, which was built in 1968, with a bigger building which will double capacity and accommodate up to 140 worshippers.

Inspired by four key themes - the spirit, soul, life and body - the church says the new building will give worshippers 'worthy spaces both for the sacramental life and for the life of our broader Stroud community'.

However, the proposals, which will see the building elevated to a much greater height and include a dome-like roof, have angered residents living opposite who are likely to lose their views of Rodborough Hill and the fort.

Mandy Perrett, 50, said the roof looked like a 'Walnut Whip' while her husband Geoff, 56, blasted the scheme as a 'vanity project'.

He said the couple would lose their view so a roof up to 10 metres high could be built 'just for acoustic and aesthetic reasons'.

Their neighbours Laura Stewart, 37, and Ian Wheeldon were similarly unimpressed.

"Our lovely view of Rodborough Hill would be completely blocked out by a big dome swirl. It will devalue the house," said Miss Stewart.

Sue Skinley, 42, who lives in Lodgemore Close, is not opposed to the centre expanding but objects to the 'scale' and the height.

There are also concerns about parking problems and congestion.

But Paul Abel, community secretary at the church, said a traffic management plan would be submitted with their planning application, outlining ways to overcome parking issues.

Responding to complaints about the height, he said: "We understand entirely their reservations and we sympathise that it is going to have an effect.

"Nobody would like having a view they are used to altered. The fort possibly won't be visible from their front gardens anymore but we believe this is going to be a building of architectural and aesthetic value and it will be serving the needs of the congregation and also the wider community by providing those spaces which are clearly needed and wanted."

Mr Abel said the church had consulted widely and that a growing congregation meant a new building was needed.