Sidmouth’s Roman Catholic church is set to gain a new entrance, additional seating and a plant room area after a planning application was approved.

Leaders of the Church of the Most Precious Blood, in Radway, hope to demolish the existing single-storey entrance and create three single-storey extensions.

Approving the application by delegated powers, an East Devon District Council officer said: “This proposal would expand the facilities and thereby increase the number of people that can be accommodated.

“At the same time it would take up some of the space currently used for parking.

“In terms of the existing capacity of the building, however, there is already insufficient parking space and this proposal would not make a material difference or materially change the impact on surrounding roads.

“Furthermore, the site is well located for access on foot, by bicycle and by public transport.”