1 MPCP(20)28 Church Commissioners Mission, Pastoral
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MPCP(20)28 Church Commissioners Mission, Pastoral and Church Property Committee Closed Church of Croglin St John (Diocese of Carlisle) Representations Concerning a draft Pastoral (Church Buildings Disposal) Scheme Note by Harvey Howlett Summary (i) The Committee is invited to consider one representation against and one letter of comment concerning a draft Pastoral (Church Buildings Disposal) Scheme providing for the sale of the closed church building of Croglin St John and part of the annexed land for residential use. (ii) The representors against strongly objects to the conversion of the church building because of the impact on the surrounding open churchyard. He argues that the church’s desire for capital is being put in front of the wishes of the dead and that there is a distinct lack of respect being shown to those buried who are under the protection of the church. (iii) The letter of comment from the Parish Council notes that whilst the Council would have preferred to see the building remain in community use there has not been sufficient interest from within the local community to take on a project of this kind. (iv) The Diocese has confirmed that they wish the draft Scheme to proceed notwithstanding the representation. The Dioceses recognise that they have a responsibility of care and respect to those buried in the churchyard, and to their families, but that there is similarly a statutory responsibility laid on them to secure a suitable and sustainable future for the church building itself. They argue that the proposed scheme successfully resolves the tension in handling these competing responsibilities, through keeping to an absolute minimum the area of land sold with the church and ensuring that there is appropriate access into the retained churchyard for visitors and on the occasion of new burials. (v) The case has been examined by the Committee’s case sifting representatives who agreed the case should be considered on the papers alone. (vi) In considering the representations, the Committee will need to have regard to the legislative requirement as to the suitability of what is being 1 proposed. If the Committee considers the proposed use to be suitable in principle, it is still possible that the use might be unsuitable in the particular circumstances of this building because of its location or other factors relating to the impact of the use. These could include the potential for disruption and disturbance of the surrounding churchyard. (vii) The main issues to be considered are therefore, as follows: • Is the proposed use of the building residential use a “suitable” use within the meaning of the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011? • Are the concerns expressed in the representation against the draft Scheme of such substance and weight that the proposed use is to be considered unsuitable for the building in this location? • Will the proposals, taken as a whole, support the furtherance of the mission of the Church of England? Recommendation The Committee is invited to consider the representations and the issues set out in this report and, in the light of these, whether the draft Scheme should proceed. 2 Introduction 1. The Committee is invited to consider one representation against and one letter of comment received concerning a draft Pastoral (Church Buildings Disposal) Scheme providing for the sale of the closed church building of Croglin St Johnin the Diocese of Carlisle and part of the annexed land for educational, cultural and community purposes 2. St John’s is a small Grade II Listed Victorian church building constructed of local red sandstone underneath a graduated green slate roof standing within a rural village in the picturesque Eden valley to the south-east of Carlisle, flanked by the Pennines to the east and within the North Pennines Area Of Natural Beauty (AONB). 3. The present church building replaced an earlier medieval building. The most prominent feature is the gabled double belcote at the west end, with a clock face and two lancets beneath. The interior of the church is whitewashed, with plain softwood benches and choir stalls. 4. The building stands in a well-buried churchyard and occupies a sloping site, bounded by a drystone wall. Under the current proposals the churchyard will continue to be used as a burial ground and maintained by the parochial church council, with the existing access arrangements being retained. 5. Due to a decline in the size of the congregation, St John’s was closed for regular public worship in April 2012. Early proposals for the appropriation of the building to residential use were consulted on in 2014 and 2015, but following the submission of representations the Diocese decided to allow time for the Parish Council and local residents to investigate the possibility of a community use being secured for St John’s. In the event such a use has not been forthcoming, and the current residential proposal has resulted from the recent further marketing of the property. 6. Attached are: Annex A Background to the case; Annex B The report on the church building by the Church Buildings Council and the advice of the Statutory Advisory Committee; Annex C A copy of the draft Scheme and accompanying note which includes a site plan; Annex D A copy of the letter referring the representations to the Bishop together the response from the Diocese; Annex R A copy of the representations; and Annex S Supplementary Comments (if any). 3 Representations Received 7. Following the publication of the draft Scheme in February 2020 the Commissioners received one representation against and one letter of comment. 8. The representation against the proposals comes from Mr George Ritchie, who had previously represented against earlier similar proposals affecting the church and re-affirmed his earlier strong objection to the appropriation of the building to residential use. He argues that those buried in the churchyard have a right to rest in peace. He argues that the church’s desire for capital is being put in front of the wishes of the dead and that there is a distinct lack of respect being shown to those buried who are under the protection of the church. He argues that the churchyard should be left as it is and asks whether the people who have plots in Croglin, those currently buried there and those to be buried there, would have purchased them if there was a house in the graveyard instead of a church. 9. The note from the Chairman of Ainstable Parish Council expresses thanks for giving the local community time to try and find a use for the building. He notes that whilst the Council would have preferred to see the building remain in community use there has not been sufficient interest from within the local community to take on a project of this kind. 10. Copies of the representations are attached at Annex R. Diocesan Response to the Representations 11. Following normal practice, a copy of the representations was sent to the Bishop of Carlisle to seek his comments. A copy of the letter referring the representations to the Bishop together with a copy of the response, sent on the Bishop’s behalf are attached at Annex D. 12. The response sets out the background and history of marketing the building, including consultations with the local planning authority and with Ainstable Parish Council. The Diocese explains that, whilst many people place a high value on the peace and tranquillity of a church and its associated churchyard, churches have quite often been the centre of village life and a hub of community activity. The response argues that It does not seem inappropriate that a church building should be fully used for a variety of purposes beyond purely ‘ecclesiastical’ ones, nor that this would be disrespectful to those who are buried nearby. 13. The Diocese has set out the belief that at least a small area of outdoor space is a desirable element in residential accommodation, although in the case of St John’s an attempt has been made to keep this to the absolute minimum in line with the local planning authority’s advice. However they write that the quiet nature of the open churchyard will be respected by virtue of the fact that only a very small area of land at the rear of the church building would be made available for domestic use. To all intents and purposes the view of the churchyard from the main road would remain unaffected by a residential use 4 of the property. The Diocese also makes suggestions for the Commissioners as to covenants which would ensure outdoor activity in the residential part ceased when funerals are taking place, provided appropriate notice has been given in advance to the occupiers of the former church. 14. The Diocese notes that the Church of England is required to secure an appropriate future use for those buildings which may no longer be required pastorally or for regular public worship and argues that, in fulfilling this responsibility, they are contributing to the mission of the Church of England. In the case of St John’s, they write that the proposal will ensure that this important heritage asset will be preserved and funds from the sale of the property will be applied to the mission of the Church of England at the diocesan level. 15. The Diocese notes that proposals enable the churchyard to continue in use including the annual Remembrance Service around the war memorial in the churchyard and unrestricted access for the purpose of visiting and tending graves. 16. The end noting that the church was closed for regular public worship eight years ago and that I t would be good to put an end to this long period of uncertainty over the future of the building.