Caroline Holt, who gave up her job two years ago for the playhouse, is angry after Kirklees planning officers told her she must apply for a change of use for the playhouse, which is in Howden Clough Methodist Church in Nab Lane.

She said the officers felt the playhouse, a £120,000 project, was no longer considered to be a church activity.

But two years ago Caroline was told the building would not need permission for a change of use, as the playhouse was to be used as a method to bring families back into the church.

The Wesley Playhouse, a soft play area and cafe, opened in October last year.

But locals have now complained to Kirklees highways services that they can no longer park outside their homes.

The complaints were passed on to planning officers.

Caroline said: “I am not going to apply for a change of use because we are still a church. The playhouse is being run by the church as a not-for-profit organisation.

“The council gave us the green light two years ago and now they’ve moved the goalposts. There are many other churches which run other church activities which cause some traffic congestion – are they going to ask all the churches in Kirklees to apply for planning permission?