A GROUP of New Forest nuns who have to pray in a wooden shed have been given the go-ahead to build a chapel.

The Dominican Sisters of St Joseph have received consent to provide a proper place of worship at their priory - a former old people's home.

Members of the district council's development control sub-committee were recommended to reject the scheme because the proposal was too big.

But the ten nuns had their prayers answered when councillors went against the advice of their planning officers and approved the application.

The Sisters moved from Ashurst to Sway in March, 1998 and turned a former rest home in Shirley Holms Road into St Dominic's Priory.

But the complex lacks a chapel, forcing the nuns to hold prayer sessions in their lounge and a wooden shed in the grounds.

Sister Julie told the committee: "The priory is very cramped and totally inadequate."

Councillors were told that the proposed new chapel, which will be available for use by the public, was backed by the local community.

Lymington member Kevin Ault said: "This is a modest and reasonable scheme to provide a facility that will be largely obscured from public view. Indeed it's hard to imagine these gentle Sisters having any adverse impact on the New Forest."

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