Planning

17 planning applications for new meeting rooms in 18 months — from a group with 18,000 UK members. Each cites growing local membership. 14 cases investigated across England, Scotland and Wales, with status on each.

Part 1 of a series. The Manor Gospel Trust — trustees include Anthony Hazell (Unispace/PPE contracts) — has spent £1 million acquiring three adjacent cottages, leaving them empty and deteriorating. Number 2 remains the Rowland family's home.

Part 2. A 400-year-old pub — the last community asset in its village — bought by Brethren members during Covid and sold to the Down Gospel Trust. Trustees include the brother-in-law of ex-MP Michelle Donelan. The local community's campaign to save it failed.

Part 3. Nine new meeting room applications since 2008, seven old rooms sold or abandoned — and a documented playbook of vague language, car parking understatements and coordinated support letters used across South Gloucestershire applications.