Lisarow, Australia - The Exclusive Brethren religious sect has assured infuriated residents its proposed 800-seat church on the NSW central coast won't impact the community.
Hundreds of locals in Lisarow, north of Gosford, turned out for a public meeting on Saturday to unite against the Brethren's plans, which they fear will scar their rural neighbourhood.
The group, Lisarow Residents Against Inappropriate Development (RAID), is concerned about the sheer size and design of the meeting hall, and the environmental impact of supporting infrastructure such as sewage.
They say the building will obscure valley views and create traffic chaos to MacDonalds Road, the only access to the site.
"The Brethren traditionally have structures without windows and this is the same - it is a building with 11 rows of tiered seating," RAID spokeswoman Jill Maclean told AAP.
"If I hadn't seen the plans and know they had been lodged, I would think it was a joke.
"It wouldn't matter who it was, the United Nations, your grandmother, you would say no, you cannot do this."
Ms Maclean said the area is a scenic protection zone and the proposal is conflicting with council requirements for developments.
So far, about 50 people have lodged objections, she said, and RAID is also organising a petition.
But the Brethren says residents should rest assured that it has taken every step possible to minimise the building's impact on the local community.
Brethren spokesman Neil Kennard said most services would be attended by between 35 and 150 people - not 800.
"It is understandable that local residents are concerned about maintaining the character of our neighbourhood," Mr Kennard said in a statement.
"The church is confident the building will not compromise the aesthetic and scenic value of the area, nor interfere with the amenity of adjoining properties.
"The local Brethren community understands those concerns and has worked closely with Gosford City Council and spoken with nearby residents to ensure their interests are accommodated."
The group has submitted its development application to Gosford City Council with public submissions due by April 9.