Planners reject 'superchurch' in Rainham

Plans for an £80 million "superchurch", which could hold five times as many worshippers as Westminster Abbey, have been rejected.

The Kingsway International Christian Centre wanted to create an 8,000 capacity mega-church in Rainham after being evicted from its home on the 2012 Olympics site.

But the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation last night rejected the project because the church did not provide enough jobs on land designated for business.

Church leaders today hit back, vowing to fight on and appeal against the corporation's decision.

Dipo Oluyomi, chief executive of the centre, said: "There are big changes coming. It is in a white community and the church is black-led. I'm not saying people are racists, but we have had letters suggesting that is what is going on."

At last night's council meeting in Stratford, residents shouted down the church's congregation.

Founded in 1992 by the Rev Matthew Ashimolowo, the church claims to be the fastest growing in Western Europe. In 2005, Mr Ashimolowo was embroiled in a Charity Commission investigation and had to repay £200,000 to the charity set up to run the church.

An LDA spokesman said: "We are committed to finding a solution as quickly as possible."