MEMBERS of a Baptist Church congregation are delighted they are set to have a new venue in which to worship after 12 years of searching.

Worcester City Council's planning committee yesterday gave the green light for Red Hill Baptist Church to begin building a new place of worship on overgrown land off St Peter's Drive.

The congregation has been forced to use various buildings around the city for services because their current base is too small.

It is hoped the 475 square metre two-storey building with 87 car park spaces should be open by September 2006.

Coun Bob Peachey said the decision to grant approval for the church was "long overdue".

"We've been talking about it for a considerable amount of time," he added.

"I welcome the application and I'm very happy to support the recommendation."

Rob Giles, a member of the church leadership team, said he and other members of the 200-strong congregation were thrilled by the decision.

"As a church we've been looking for a new site since 1993," he said.

"We're delighted we've now got it and at last we can begin to move forward."

He said the church would have two halls and would also be a facility the local community could use.