PLANS to redevelop a Shefford church as part of an �850,000 project are rolling ahead, after proposals were submitted last month.

Shefford Baptist Church on Bedford Road has already secured �80,000 worth of funding, and hopes that plans are approved by Central Bedfordshire Council so that it can approach charities to secure grants.

A two-floor extension on the north side of the building, and single story extensions on the other sides have been proposed and there are plans to refurbish kitchen and bathroom facilities, improve disabled access and resurface the car park.

It is also hoped that the entrance foyer and central worship room will be enlarged.

And to create room for more people, it is proposed to level the floor and remove the balcony to increase the capacity of the ground floor to accommodate up to 150 people.

“We’ve been raising money for the last couple of years, and have done many things to do so, including a parachute jump,” said Reverend Steve Summerfield.

“The building is quite an old building and we don’t want to keep spending money to maintain it.

“We want to make it a bit bigger and create more space for us and the local community.

“We realise that there is still a long way to go, and we still have a lot of work to do.

“But people are excited about it and have been really supportive.”

If the plans are approved, the church will look to apply for grants and raise the remainder of the money to complete the project.

A public consultation, which has already been held, saw the public back the scheme.