Church in row on cross

A Dudley church cross is at the centre of a new red-tape wrangle after leaders were told they must class it as memorial to avoid a £75 planning fee.

The suggestion has offended the congregation at Dudley Wood Methodist Church, who say the ruling implies Christianity is not alive.

The church says it would rather pay for planning permission than undermine its significance as a religious symbol.

Minster Dr Paul Nzacahayo said: "The cross symbolises the presence of God in the heart of the community. Christianity is very much alive."

Earlier this year the Express & Star revealed how the church was told it would have to pay to put up the freestanding wooden cross because it was classified as an advertisement. It caused an outcry but Dudley Council insisted it was following national guidelines.

Now the council has added insult to injury by offering the compromise of classing the symbol as a memorial.

Dr Nzacahayo said: "We are very offended to be told our cross should be called a memorial.

"It's not the business of politicians of or the council to define a symbol of faith. It's totally wrong. We would rather pay than call our cross a memorial."

The Quarry Road church wanted the cross to let people know the Sunday school building was doubling up as a church during building.

The church, costing £200,000, was officially opened on Saturday, minus the cross.

Council spokesman Phil Parker said: "The inclusion of the memorial stones would mean the cross proposal could be classed as a memorial and would therefore be exempt from the advert regulations and no fee would be payable."