Churchgoers in the Diocese of Lichfield have received a massive boost with news that planners at Stafford Borough Council have given permission for a significant development to Shallowford House, the Lichfield diocesan conference centre.

The proposals will see a "breathtaking" new chapel, a new reception area and lobby and improvements to meeting rooms and bedroom accommodation.

Shallowford House is used for the training of lay ministers and preparing clergy for ordination courses and post-ordination training. It is also used by parishes and a range of community groups looking for a 'get-away' space for meetings in a peaceful location.

Shallowford House was given to the Diocese of Lichfield in 1938 and has been used as a training and conference centre ever since. But the house is now looking tired and the facilities are in need of modernisation. The development plans will cost somewhere in the region of £1.2m to complete and trustees are now preparing to approach builders for more detailed costs.

The director of Shallowford House, Mr John Leigh, said: "This is tremendous news for Shallowford, and we're really excited about it. But now we have to begin the grand task of raising £1m to ensure we can make room for everyone here at Shallowford House."

His comments were echoed by the Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill, who said: "The endorsement of the planners, coming as it does at the start of Lent, is a wonderful boost to my Lent Appeal which is raising funds to kick-start the Shallowford House appeal. The first hurdle is passed and we now face the second hurdle - raising the money to pay for the development.

"The proposed development at Shallowford House will help us to improve the quality of training we provide for church leaders here in the Diocese of Lichfield and will be a major resource for parishes and other community groups who use the Shallowford facilities.

"I hope that everyone who has been helped or inspired over the years by a course or retreat at Shallowford will give special thanks to God for the ministry of this house and will pray about how much to give to this exciting project."

The Bishop of Shrewsbury, the Rt Rev Dr Alan Smith, is Chair of the Shallowford House Trustees, and he too welcomed the planning permission, saying: "What we are looking for is for Shallowford House to become the premier centre in the West Midlands offering tip-top up-to-date facilities for churches and the not-for-profit sector, charities and community groups looking for residential and day conferences."