Thursday, October 09, 2008

Ding-dong over church bell noise

A parish priest at a church in Lanarkshire has been told he must apply for planning permission to broadcast a recording of church bells.

Father Dominic Towey, from St John the Baptist Church in Uddingston, had four speakers erected on a 20ft post outside the building.

Some neighbours did not give his church bell broadcast a ringing endorsement.

They complained to South Lanarkshire Council and the church has been ordered to seek proper planning permission.

The speakers were put in place to celebrate the Roman Catholic church's 125th anniversary earlier this year.

But some villagers said the "tinny" sound of bells, broadcast every day through the PA system, was so loud it could be heard indoors.

Father Towey said: "We are disappointed and hurt that in 21st century Scotland there is still a small minority who seem offended at the sound of Christians, in this case Roman Catholics, being called to worship by a church bell."

After initial complaints, planning officials from South Lanarkshire Council visited the site.

A council spokesman said: "The latest position is planning permission is required. The church has been advised of this."

Danny Anderson, chair of the church anniversary committee, insisted the church had "acted properly" and sought official guidance throughout the saga.

'Delightful sound'

He added: "South Lanarkshire Council advised the parish priest that we did not need planning permission for the bell pole, then four people out of thousands complained.

"The bells are never rung before 10am and never after 6pm.

"The church has now submitted the relevant planning application and hope South Lanarkshire Council can assess our submission and make a speedy decision."

A parishioner of the church, who did not want to be named, told the BBC Scotland News website: "Uddingston residents have heard the sound of bells from the Church of Scotland in the village for years. It is a delightful sound.

"It seems strange that only the bells from the local Catholic Church seems to offend the ears of the objectors."
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(Source: BBC)