Reordering

A Faculty was granted for: (1) the removal of two short pews at the west end of the south aisle of a Grade I 14th century church and provision of additional bookshelf units; and (2) the removal of the rearmost pew on the south side of the nave to provide additional space for wheelchair users. The Chancellor, considered the principles laid down in Re St. Alkmund Duffield [2013], and determined that, "The selective removal of a very small number of pews will not affect the character of the church as a building of special architectural or historic interest."

A faculty was sought for the addition of a fully accessible lavatory, for a small kitchen facility and for roof repairs. The proposals were supported by the DAC, the planning authorities, the Victorian Society, the Church Buildings Council, English Heritage and the Ancient Monuments Society, but the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings was concerned at the cutting through of the fifteenth century west wall of the north aisle. It considered this intrusion into the fabric of the church to be unnecessary as a level external access was possible from the church to the lavatory. The Chancellor, after considering the questions in Re St. Alkmund Duffield, granted a Faculty for the works, including the internal access to the lavatory.

The proposed re-ordering was to facilitate a project by the diocese to establish a new congregation at the church, in association with Holy Trinity Brompton and its Churches Revitalisation Trust. The works included wheelchair access; the removal of a screen containing a kitchen and lobby; the introduction of a new screen to form a lobby to west door, incorporating a coffee bar and storage; a new external door; two screens under the tower to create a chapel; a screen to create a narthex; and the removal of an existing WC pod. The Chancellor granted a faculty.

A number of improvements were proposed to a 1950s unlisted church, including replacement of the felt roof covering with pre-coated zinc, replacement of windows; and improvements to the entrance to the church. The Twentieth Century Society objected to the proposals, but did not wish to become a party to the proceedings. Faculty granted.

The Petition related to internal re-ordering, including a new disabled toilet, new screens, new furniture, and removal of some pews. Objections from the Victorian Society, the Ancient Monuments Society, the Stafforfdshire Historic Buildings Trust and a regular worshipper at the church related to the replacement of the Victorian main entrance door, which was part of a re-ordering carried out by Gilbert Scott in 1842, and the insertion of new outer doors to the porch. The Deputy Chancellor granted a faculty, subject to (inter alia) a condition that the Gilbert Scott door should be retained in an appropriate place in the church, in view of its historical and architectural significance.

Petition for the removal of box pews, installation of new flooring and under-floor heating, WCs, a kitchen, and removal of the font. The whole project was dependent on the removal of the box pews. Faculty granted.

The petitioners (the Rector, a Churchwarden and the PCC Secretary) sought a faculty to authorise the removal of three pews from the east end of the nave, two on the south side and one on the north side, in order to provide space for those with wheelchairs, for instrumentalists and singers, for a projector and screen on the south side. and to give more space for those attending wedding couples. The Chancellor determined that the modest harm to the character of the church would be outweighed by the clear and significant public benefit flowing from the proposal.

The works proposed included the conversion of an existing kitchen at the east of the north aisle to a new WC, with with disabled access and baby-changing facilities, and the creation of a new kitchen 'pod' in the north east corner of the north aisle. The Chancellor determined that the proposals would cause only moderate harm to the appearance of the Grade I listed church, which would be outweighed by the benefits of the new facilities. He therefore granted a faculty.

The priest in charge and churchwardens petitioned for a faculty to permit reordering works, including the provision of kitchen servery and toilet facilities, a renewed heating system and the removal of some pews to create a more flexible space in the church, in order to advance the church's worship and mission. Notwithstanding concerns of the Victorian Society and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, the Chancellor determined to grant a faculty, being satisfied that any harm to the significance of the church was likely to be outweighed by the public benefits to be generated as a result of the proposals.

The Chancellor granted a faculty for an extension to the church to provide a Church Room, Historic England and the Victorian Society having indicated that they had no objections to the proposal.