Agenda item

St Denis Church, East Hatley

The Committee

St Denis Church, East Hatley

In the absence of the Chairman, Councillor MP Howell became the Acting Chairman for this item. He introduced Mr Peter Mann, a resident of East Hatley who was presenting the questions to the Committee on behalf of Hatley Parish Council. Councillor Howell stated that a paper copy of the Conservation Manager’s comprehensive answers to the Parish Council’s 18 questions had been circulated before the meeting. These are attached to the minutes at Appendix 1.

Mr Mann stated that East Hatley was a quiet village of approximately 30 houses, which had no main roads. The 800 year old Medieval Church was easily the oldest building in the village and he expressed his concern that the Council was allowing this Grade II* listed building to fall down. He stated that the scaffolding the Council had erected in February 2003 was costing £111 a week and had amounted to a total cost of £6,000 so far, which he asserted was an inappropriate use of tax payers money. He explained that access to the church was restricted to a strip of grass which was only 4 to 5 feet wide, there was no access road or parking and the floor had been removed. For these reasons local residents were concerned about the feasibility of plans to use the building for practical purposes. He stated that local residents opposed plans for installing a temporary roof due to the cost. He suggested that the Council should take steps to stabilise the building and make it weather proof.

The Conservation Manager explained that the Council had taken ownership of the church in 1985 on the understanding that it would be used as a nature reserve. In 2002 it was noticed that ivy growth was damaging the building. This ivy had to be removed to allow the building to be inspected by architects and a range of options were forthcoming. In response to questioning, the Conservation Manager informed the Committee that an impasse had been reached as any potential funding to support a partnership restoration scheme possibly working with the Wildlife Trust or The Heritage Lottery Fund would be dependent on establishing a practical use of the building, but local residents opposed this. It appeared unlikely that the political will existed for the Council to agree the funding necessary to secure the building without a practical use or partnership funding having been identified.

Councillor EL Monks stated that the parish council had refused ownership of the building 19 years ago and he asked what the opinion of the Parish Council was in 1985 regarding the upkeep of the building. It was noted that Mr Mann was not a Parish Councillor and was unable to answer this question.

In response to questioning, the Chairman of the Conservation Advisory Group stated that the Advisory Group were not in favour of spending public money on renovating St Denis Church.

In response to questioning, the Conservation Manager explained that in hindsight the Council would have purchased the scaffolding had the length of time for which it was required been known. He explained that the roof was deteriorating, but to remove it would expose the flint wall and would require the permission of the Secretary of State.

Councillor Mrs DSK Spink, the Conservation portfolio holder, reminded the Committee that the church had been empty for over 20 years before the Council took ownership of the building on the understanding that it would become a nature reserve.

In his supplementary question Mr Mann asked when positive action was likely to be taken. The Conservation Manager stated that he was hopeful that an appropriate scheme could be agreed upon which might secure Heritage Lottery funding. If forthcoming this would enable implementation of option F, which was to make the building weatherproof with safe public access; such a scheme would cost at least £80,000. Cabinet approval would be required.

It was understood that the current lack of access and basic services made it difficult to turn into a private residence and that such a use would probably not be locally supported. It was noted that Parish representatives had been invited before to Council meetings when this item had been discussed.

The Committee