FURIOUS residents and community leaders say a new car park entrance at a York Mormon church poses a risk to local schoolchildren.

They have slammed the planning rules which meant they were not consulted before work started on the new route into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in Acomb Road.

Work has started on dropping the curbs at the side of the church in West Bank. It will create a new access into the car park, which is also being extended within the grounds.

Under Government regulations, City of York Council was not required to consult residents over the work because planning permission was not needed.

Resident Veronica Alexander, of West Bank, said the entrance would clog up the narrow street with traffic and present a danger to children from nearby Acomb Primary School.

But church leaders say the new entrance is designed to improve safety.

"The church is walking all over us," Mrs Alexander said. "It gets packed with cars down the street as it is without this.

"They preach about having a peaceful life, but they're not giving us one."

Judith Pinder, chairwoman of governors at Acomb Primary School, said: "The safety of our children is of primary concern. I'm disappointed that the church didn't consult anyone over this."

Holgate councillor Liz Edge said they had persuaded the council to review the area's traffic situation.

"This is a classic example of how totally inadequate planning regulations are.

"The access will cause all sorts of problems with parents taking their children to school. I'm disappointed with the church for not letting people know." Alex Stewart, facilities manager for the region's Mormon churches, said the new entrance would improve safety.

"There have almost been a few serious accidents because of a blind spot on the bend into the current access.

"We do not want to offend anyone in the local community. This will improve the safety factor."

Peter Evely, City of York Council's head of highways regulation, said they were not required to consult residents over the issue. "There are an awful lot of developments that don't require approval from planning or highways," he said.

Updated: 11:47 Wednesday, November 13, 2002