Church hopes to replace vestry with larger hall

PLANS have been submitted to demolish an existing vestry and build a replacement hall at a church in Harpsden.

The parochial church council of St Margaret’s Church in Harpsden Way believes the new larger single-storey hall would better suit the needs of the parish.

Bluestone Planning, agent for the church council, said a number of headstones would need to be removed to make room for the building.

But the church council has proposed that the new, larger hall would accommodate the needs of the parish better.

Rebecca Barnett, heritage officer at South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authority, said the loss of green space needed to be considered.

She said: “Ecclesiastical law limits development of burial grounds, including works to and/or affecting gravestones, walls and fences and human remains, according to the rites of the Church of England.

“However, I note the development proposal arises from the growing needs of the church, its congregation, Sunday school and community outreach programmes and, overall, looks to improve the provision of the church as a local community asset.

“In assessing any final application for planning permission, I consider that the gain arising from the proposed improvement of indoor facilities for the church should be weighed against the loss of a section of designed open green space across the burial grounds.”

Bluestone Planning has also submitted an arboricultural report, drainage report, ecology assessment and sustainability statement along with the planning application.

Leigh Travers, drainage engineer, said: “In my view, the community benefits of the proposal and the potential planning gain to be had, outweighs the low level of less than substantial harm to the character and setting of the listed building.

“I am generally satisfied that the low level of less than substantial harm arising from the proposed scheme on the significance, historic character and architectural interest of the Grade II listed church and its setting is outweighed by the benefits of providing new and improved community facilities for the church, helping to secure it optimum viable use in the longer term.”

The district council will make a final decision by Tuesday, February 3.

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