A large evangelical church in Hereford is having a second go at getting permission for new wall-mounted signs.

The Freedom Church, based in a former cinema and nightclub in the city’s busy Commercial Road, previously sought planning consent to display its lion’s head logo across four panels covering a large part of the streetside wall, alongside a two-by-four-metre video screen.

But Hereford city councillors said they were “adamantly against” the proposal, which “would dominate the street”.

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The proposal drew eight public submissions opposing it and seven backing it before it was withdrawn in January.

Now the church has submitted a new, “scaled back” proposal (planning application 241428, to mount the illuminated letters FREEDOM CHURCH and its lion’s head logo high up on the street-facing wall, and install a “lightbox” above the porch entrance from the street.

The church building currently lacks clear signage indicating its useThe church building currently lacks clear signage indicating its use (Image: Google Street View)

“These two elements are designed to be in step with the Art Deco design of the building and represent a limited change to the façade,” a statement with the application says, adding that the change aimed to “respond positively to the representations made”.

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Along with the plans, the building “will be cleaned, significantly improving its appearance and enhancing the conservation area”, it says.

Currently lacking clear external signage, the building opened as the Ritz Cinema in 1938 with seating for over 1,000, since when it has gone through several name changes and alterations. Freedom Church took it over in 2016.

Comments on the new plan can be made via the planning webpage until July 4.