For many years the PCC has been considering how to improve the use of the north aisle.
Faculty application – 2026
Revised plans were submitted to the Diocesan Advisory Committee earlier in 2026 after they had provided various comments about the plans which were submitted in 2025. Following consultation with the statutory heritage organisations the DAC has now issued its formal advice to the Chancellor, which is that it recommends that the proposals be approved. This does not constitute approval for us to proceed but does allow a formal application for a faculty to be made.
A faculty application is now being made. Notice of that is being displayed at the church. A copy of the notice can be downloaded here. The public have the opportunity to inspect petition and the various supporting documents. Anyone who wishes to object to the proposals can send a letter stating the grounds of their objection to the Diocesan Registrar so that it is received not later than 4th September 2026.
A set of documents is available in the church and copies can also be downloaded from the links below.
- Petition
- Supplementary Information for Petition
- DAC Notification of Advice
- Statement of Needs
- Statement of Significance
- Extract of PCC Minutes 19th May 2026
- Proposals for chairs and tables
- Proposed heating solution
- Drawing 164-01-08 Cabinetry details
- Drawing 164-01-06C Proposed elevations
- Drawing 164-01-07B Floor plans as existing and proposed
- Drawing 164-01-09C M+E plan
- Drawing 164-01-10B Heating duct alterations
- Consultation response – Local Planning Authority (Conservation Officer)
- Consultation response – Victorian Society
- Consultation response – Historic England
- Consultation response – The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
Presentation to Annual Meeting in 2025
There had been discussions with the church architect and the diocesan authorities and plans had been drawn up which were submitted for consideration by the Diocesan Advisory Committee in May 2025. At its meeting on June 2025 the DAC offered further advice, in particular in relation to the proposed heaters, and suggested that the DAC’s Heating Advisor should be consulted. The revised plans submitted in 2026 took that advice and advice from the Heating Advisor into account.
The following is the account of the presentation to the Annual Meeting, which was prior to the DAC meeting.
At the Annual Meeting on 11th May 2025 Philip Sims, the chairman of the PCC, gave a presentation to those present explaining the plans and shared some images which had been produced by the architect showing what it should look like.
The proposal is to remove the screen around the choir vestry which is in the north west corner of the church. This means that the two windows in that corner, which are the two best windows in the church. will become more visible. The existing vestry in the Loft area (in the north east corner of the church) will be reconfigured and enlarged and will become the choir vestry. A kitchen will be created in the location of the current choir vestry, which will be built using the timber from the screen. The existing kitchen in the Loft area will be reconfigured and used as a small priest’s vestry.
The pews will be removed from the north aisle and the floor will be replaced with a wooden floor. Tables and chairs will be acquired so that the space can be used in a flexible way and there will be a storage space for the tables when they are not in use. The chairs will be able to be used when there is a large congregation.
The Diocesan Advisory Committee has given advice and made some suggestions which have been taken into account in drawing up the current proposals, which have been submitted to them for further advice. We await that further advice and hope that they will approve moving the application on to the next step.
The following images give an impression of what it should look like when it is finished.
