Historic Churches 2019

38 BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 26 TH ANNUAL EDITION to be located on site, a toilet capable of catering for less able bodied and elderly people is a significant structure. If there are no rooms or small spaces that are suitable for tucking the facilities into, a bold and honest solution is usually best. A structure which is not in keeping with the scale and quality of its surroundings will stand out, even though it is smaller and less consequential. Stylistically, design options may be considered in three categories: • Pastiche, where existing or historic design approaches are copied • Traditional, where existing or historic design approaches are echoed but not copied • Distinct, where a very different style is chosen. Where the pastiche approach might lead to modern fabric being mistaken as the original, this approach can confuse the history of the building and its appreciation. However, apart from this one caveat, all three approaches are appropriate in different circumstances. In the context of a church, it may not be possible for the new structure to blend in, and a distinct stylistic approach which recognises that the new structure really is different, can sometimes be the only viable option. HERITAGE CONSENTS Most places of worship are exempt from ordinary listed building consent requirements under the Ecclesiastical Exemption, but all alterations, inside or outside, will need the permission (or a faculty, as it is sometimes called) of the church body concerned, whether listed or not. The process is not dissimilar from the secular planning process and the views of the local authority and the national heritage bodies are sought. In addition, planning permission would be required from the local authority for any works classed as ‘development’ such as an extension or the construction of a free-standing toilet in the grounds. When considering approval, the local authority will take into account the impact of the development on the listed building and its significance. In some cases church building and churchyard structures are also scheduled monuments, which are not covered by the exemption. In this case, if a scheduled monument is affected in any way, the permission of the national statutory authority would also be required (either Cadw, Historic England, the Historic Environment Division of NI or Historic Environment Scotland). EXCAVATIONS FOR SERVICES The trench excavations required for running the water supply and laying the drains are usually less than 1.8 metres deep, which is the depth at which burials are likely to be encountered. However, in sites where religion has been practiced for centuries or even millennia, there may be a significant risk of the excavation uncovering archaeological material, and there may also be fragments of human remains in the top 1.8 metres of earth and clay of older churchyards. It is therefore best to engage the advice of an archaeologist at an early stage to identify the most suitable route to take through the site, and to advise on the application itself. An archaeological assessment may also help to establish the best location for the facilities, avoiding mistakes later. When applying for permission, the application should include an assessment of the likely impact of the proposal on burials and archaeology, together with a statement outlining how the excavation work is to be carried out. This would usually involve hand-excavation of the trench by the contractors under the supervision of an archaeologist, but machine excavation may be possible in areas of low risk. The archaeologist would then monitor the work and record anything of interest. Usually this would proceed quite quickly and with minimal delay, provided that the trench is relatively shallow. COMMUNITY The introduction of good facilities for the congregation, the community and church visitors may pose complex issues of design and heritage as well as practical problems, but these developments should be considered essential in the 21st century. The key is to consult carefully and engage with all stakeholders. If the approach is well managed it can itself bring together the community and help in unlocking funding, assistance, and good will, securing the future of the building as a community hub and an asset. JONATHAN TAYLOR is the editor of Historic Churches and a director of Cathedral Communications Drainage trench at St Oswald’s Oswestry: the shallow excavation over previously disturbed land enabled the use of a mechanical digger, albeit under an archaeological watching brief. (Photo: Timothy Malim, SLR Consulting) A composting toilet in a churchyard at Stondon, Bedfordshire (Photo: Emma Critchley, Diocese of St Albans)