I refer to your front page article (Guardian, November 22) Church Plans Cause Fury.

As the Minister of Trinity Church, in Mansel Road, I have just returned from the planning applications committee which gave unanimous approval to my churchs plans for the redevelopment of the rear of our site, despite, it would appear, significant opposition from local residents and others.

I was impressed by the professional manner in which the matter was considered by the committee.

Obviously, my church is very pleased with the approval given to proceed to the next phase of redevelopment.

Trinity Churchs major concern now is to heal the rift between ourselves and our neighbours that has been created by our plans to extend our church premises.

Incidentally, the size of worship area remains exactly the same because we need all the space we have to accommodate present worshippers.

Be that as it may, my hope and prayer now is that the decision having been taken in our favour, our neighbours, most of whom, to my current knowledge, never attend any church for worship, will work with us in a cordial and friendly way to resolve any problems caused during the building work.

I am sure it can be done with their co-operation rather than antagonism.

At the end of the day, the church is not a building (Grade II listed or not) it is people.

The people of Trinity Church are willing to do all within their power to help the people of Mansel and Raymond roads resolve our current difficulties. The question is are they?

Reverend Ceri Lewis

Minister

Trinity Church