A CHURCH near Manningtree is making a move to become more eco-friendly after plans for the installation of a sustainable heating source were approved despite objections. 

St Mary’s Church, in Church Hill, Lawford, has been granted planning permission to build a fenced compound to house air-source heat pumps.

The pumps extract heat from the air to heat buildings and water using large fans to move air across the heat exchanger. 

Residents voiced their concerns about noise disruptions, before a planning committee enforced sound mitigating measures in order to be able to grant planning permission.