A new sewage treatment plant at a historic Sunderland Point building has been given the go-ahead.
The plan to install a small package treatment plant near Sunderland Point Mission Heritage Centre was approved by Lancaster city councillors.
Sunderland Point Mission was used for church services for more than 100 years.
It has recently been handed over to the community for refurbishment and the centre will be used for educational events, exhibitions, celebrations and performances for residents and visitors to the village.
A planning application went in to provide the plant to service the building, as well as a new kitchen and toilets.
Lancaster City Council planning regulatory committee approved the plans for the sewage plant at a meeting on Monday.
There were some objections to the plans.
Seventeen letters against the scheme came in to the council, with reasons including a lack of or improper consultation with the public, the potential for increased car parking by people visiting the centre, and its potential impact on internationally protected natural sites.
There were also two letters of support, saying the proposal would secure the long-term viability of the building.
Members of the public and councillors also spoke out, both in favour and against, the application, at the meeting.
Council planners had recommended that the new plant should get the green light.
A report said: "The plant is relatively minor in scale and the utilities statement anticipates that usage will equate to less than a single dwelling (six persons).
"The plant’s location away from neighbouring properties will ensure that any noise and odour will not be detrimental to the amenity of the area or surrounding properties.
"The proposal will have a neutral impact on the character of the listed building and wider conservation area. The proposal also follows the prioritised drainage hierarchy and will help facilitate the conversion and long term future of the listed building. Finally, subject to the conditions outlined in the report, the proposal will not have any significant impacts on the European designated sites."
It was proposed by Councillor Dave Brookes and seconded by Councillor June Greenwell, that the application be approved subject to conditions in a planning report.
Eleven councillors voted in favour of the proposal with two against and no abstentions.
The plant will connect to a new and existing pipe and drain outlet which connects to Morecambe Bay.
Meanwhile, a separate planning application to provide a kitchen and toilets, and make other internal alterations at the centre, was deferred so councillors from the planning committee could visit the site to help them make a decision.
There had been 55 letters of objection and 14 letters of support for the proposed changes.
A council report said: "The proposed internal works are considered to result in some less than substantial harm to the character, appearance, and fabric of the Grade II listed building.
"However, this harm is considered to be outweighed by the overall public benefits of bringing the building back into long-term viable use for the local community and visiting public."
Sunderland Point Mission Heritage Centre is a Grade II listed former mission church dating back to 1894. Its use as a church has recently ceased with the building now under the ownership of the Mission Heritage Centre Trust.
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