A former mayor says she is being tormented by fellow church-goers over a planning application which has divided Prestbury village.

Grade I listed St Peter’s church was built in 1200 and has a Saxon cross in its grounds. Plans to build a community hub on 1,500-year-old graves have been approved by the council – creating a rift in the village.

Now parish councillor Thelma Jackson, pictured, who objects to the plan, says she has been intimidated in the street by those who want the works to go ahead.

Coun Jackson, who spoke out against the scheme in a personal capacity at the northern planning committee, is now boycotting the church she attended for decades.

She said: "I’m speaking on behalf of a lot of residents who have been here a long time and feel alienated because of this.

"Nobody will stand up against it because they feel intimidated.

"They were baying at me when I was speaking and stop me in the street to have a go.

"It’s created such disharmony in the village – I’ve never known anything like it." Coun Jackson says the extension is too big and suggests Ford House across the road is better suited to the needs of the church community.

She added: "I’ve raised money for that church, I was on the fundraising committee to raise money for the roof, that’s why I’m so passionate about it.

"If this goes ahead our historical heritage will be lost forever."

Ford House, opposite the church, used to be a community centre but is now unsafe – its planned sale will help fund the extension.

Fellow objector David Hine, of the Save Ford House Group, added: "There’s a split in the church, it’s a very, very bad atmosphere.

"I live in Church House opposite and I’m getting stony looks. It’s spooky in the church now but it’s inevitable when there is such a violent difference in opinion."

But the Rev Patrick Angier, who says the extension is essential to meet the needs of the thriving family community, denies there is animosity among villagers.

He said: "It’s rubbish, they are all welcome to come back. Nobody is being pushed out of the church.

"Seventy-five per cent of the village voted for this and a small minority objected. This extension means children won’t have to cross a busy A-road to use the facilities, they will have appropriately-sized group spaces.

"If someone takes a very ‘anti’ approach they may feel that all attempts to try and discuss are intimidatory.

"There have been plenty of opportunities for dialogue."

He said his Sunday congregation had grown from 170 to 260.

The building work approved by councillors to begin in the spring includes a new vestry, space for rehearsals and the youth church, toilet facilities and archive storage.

Proposing the development for approval, Coun Carolyn Andrew told the planning committee: "If we allow this application to go forward it will ensure it continues to be such an important part of our heritage and it will live, rather than die or fade away."