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Ding-dong over church bell noise | Ding-dong over church bell noise |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A parish priest at a church in Lanarkshire has been told he must apply for planning permission to broadcast a recording of church bells. | 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. | 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. | 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. | The speakers were put in place to celebrate the Roman Catholic church's 125th anniversary earlier this year. |
We are disappointed and hurt that there is still a small minority who seem offended at the sound of Christians being called to worship by a church bell Father Dominic Towey | |
But some villagers said the "tinny" sound of bells, broadcast every day through the PA system, was so loud it could be heard indoors. | 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. | 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." | 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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