AGM(13)06
Church Commissioners
Annual General Meeting
Report of the Church Buildings (Uses and Disposals) Committee
to the Board of Governors for the year to 31 December 2012
1.
Introduction
1.1.
The Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 (the 2011 Measure) aims to bring consultation and
a degree of ownership to the sometimes contentious business of matching resources of
clergy, money and buildings to local needs and wishes. It consolidates in a single Measure
the Pastoral Measure 1983, a number of subsequent enactments and parts of the Dioceses,
Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007. Those carrying out functions under the Measure are
required “to have due regard to the furtherance of the mission of the Church of England”.
1.2.
The Church Buildings (Uses and Disposals) Committee discharges, on behalf of the Board,
the Commissioners’ statutory responsibilities under the 2011 Measure for church buildings
closed for regular public worship. This usually involves securing a suitable alternative use
where possible and, where not, deciding between the remaining alternatives of
preservation by the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) or demolition1.
1.3.
The Committee met on seven occasions in 2012 and also undertook a visit to churches in
the Diocese of Durham. Our terms of reference, main objectives and membership are set
out in Annex A.
2.
Closure of Church Buildings
2.1.
In 2012 schemes or orders were made to close 20 church buildings for regular public
worship, which is consistent with the underlying rate of around 25 closures annually since
the mid 1990s; one closed church was restored to parish use.
2.2.
Since 1969 some 1,869 church buildings have closed, including 61 partial closures (see
Table 1 in Annex B). Although more recent figures are not available, over 540 new places
of worship were opened between 1969 and around 2006. This is within the overall context
of some 16,000 church buildings in use in around 13,000 parishes. While there remain
concerns of a potential sharp increase in the rate of closure, with many small, often ageing,
congregations facing the daunting task of maintaining historic church buildings often in need
of major repair, to date this has not materialised. Following deep cuts to English Heritage
funding the main grant scheme for repairs to places of worship is now wholly funded by the
Heritage Lottery Fund. In May 2012 additional funding to offset the financial impact of VAT
changes in the earlier Budget enabled 100% compensation for VAT on eligible repair and
maintenance costs under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
1
The Commissioners’ decision is subject to secular planning controls in respect of new uses, possible non-statutory public
inquiries in certain contested demolition cases, and the right to seek Leave to Appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy
Council where closure and the future of the building are dealt with in the same scheme.
1
2.3.
Of the 20 closures in 2012, 4 were Grade II* listed, 8 were Grade II listed and 8 were
unlisted buildings. Listed buildings present particular challenges in securing suitable
alternative uses, especially if highly listed, underlining the continuing importance of the
CCT as a means of preserving outstanding closed church buildings for which no such use is
found.
Church buildings closed in 2012 include, from the left, Grade II* listed Ayston St Mary (Peterborough); Grade II
Croglin St John the Baptist (Carlisle) and the unlisted Emmanuel, Chadderton (Manchester).
3.
Settling the Future of Closed Churches
3.1.
Closed churches are a unique building type. Many are listed, have historical significance and
are surrounded by churchyard; consequently, it can be difficult to find suitable new uses.
We work in partnership with dioceses, parishes and statutory and other interested parties,
primarily to secure such uses where possible and, where not, to decide between
preservation by the CCT or demolition. Annex B provides summary details of the 28
schemes made in 2012 to settle the future of closed church buildings.
3.2.
As part of our aim to add greater value and provide a specialist professional casework
team deployed regionally, we now have case officers based in Leeds, Liverpool and
Salisbury, with proposals to extend this to St Albans and Birmingham in 2013. We are
confident of having the necessary arrangements and expertise in place to respond in the
event of any increase in the number of church closures.
3.3.
The breakdown of current cases at the year end was:
Total cases at 31 December
Pre-closure
Use seeking period
Post scheme/legal/amending scheme
Covenants
Total
2012
56
68
49
52
225
2011
59
64
55
48
226
2010
49
62
77
32
220
Alternative Use
3.4.
Suitable alternative uses are found for most closed church buildings; see Annex C. Sales
or leases completed in 2012 included 6 for residential use, 3 for monument and other use
and 2 for worship by other Christian bodies. Deeds of variation were completed in 2 cases.
2
Residential Use
3.5.
Residential use is the single most common alternative use for closed churches. Obtaining
planning permission before marketing can be financially beneficial to the value achieved and
we strongly encourage dioceses to pursue such a course in appropriate cases. The draft
Miscellaneous Provisions Measure currently going through General Synod includes
provision to rename and widen the scope of the Commissioners’ Temporary Maintenance
Account to enable financial assistance towards this end.
Blawith St John (Carlisle) (left) situated in Lake District National Park; unlisted and vested in the CCT since 1993.
Devested following marketing and sold to provide affordable housing catering for local needs.
Hurstpierpoint St George (Chichester) (centre), this Grade II listed Victorian village chapel, some 8 miles from Brighton,
closed in 2008 and was sold for conversion to single residential dwelling.
Micklehurst All Saints (Chester) (right) unlisted late Victorian church in small Pennine town of Mossley. Following
publication of a draft demolition scheme a late offer was received for residential use; the building was sold in 2012 for
conversion to 2 dwellings.
3.6.
Staff continue to work with English Heritage (EH) in highlighting good practice in residential
conversions. Details of two successful conversions which minimise harm to historic fabric
can now be found on EH’s website and we look to identify further good practice in order
to encourage a more constructive approach amongst local authorities towards residential
use:
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional/advice/advice-by-topic/places-of-worship/closed-places-ofworship/.
Other Uses
3.7.
While many closed church buildings are used for worship by other Christian bodies or as
venues for a variety of social and community purposes, sometimes local planning
authorities insist on extensive marketing over long periods to demonstrate that no such
community use is forthcoming, even in scarcely populated rural areas or elsewhere where
buildings face expensive repairs and high maintenance costs. We continue in such
circumstances to urge a more flexible and pragmatic approach in order to secure suitable
viable uses in a timely manner. The National Planning Policy Framework came into effect
during the year (March 2012) which will impact upon the search for new uses for buildings.
3.8.
In September the Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012 under the
Localism Act 2011 took force whereby, if the owner of a property included on a local
authority’s list of assets of community value intends to dispose of the property, a qualifying
community group can trigger a pause, during which time the owner cannot proceed with
disposal, allowing the group time to develop a bid for the property. The Department for
3
Communities and Local Government accepted our arguments that such moratorium
arrangements should not apply in respect of the disposal of a closed church building
pursuant to a scheme under the 2011 Measure, in view of the complex ownership
arrangements and statutory process already in place for dealing with the disposal of closed
churches; the Regulations exempt such disposals from these arrangements.
On the left, the Grade II listed Southwick St Columba (Durham) (left) was sold for worship use to the Sunderland Chapel of Light.
Aconbury St John the Baptist (Hereford) (centre) was closed in 1974 and had been used as a diocesan store but in 2012 was sold for
use as a monument and/or for a Class B1 use (including office or light industry) to the Duchy of Cornwall, who owned the surrounding land.
On the right, the 14th century tower is all that remains of Grade II listed Bramcote St Luke (Southwell and Nottingham) which was formally
closed and sold to a specially created local trust as a monument, relieving the parish of its care.
Churches Conservation Trust
3.9.
The CCT is funded jointly by the Government (via the Department for Culture, Media and
Sport) and the Church Commissioners to care “in the interests of the nation and the
Church of England” for closed churches of particular historic interest or architectural
significance for which no suitable use could be found. There are currently 342 churches in
the CCT’s care, including the recently vested Grade I listed Falinge St Edmund
(Manchester). Blawith St John (Carlisle) was devested from the CCT and sold by the
Commissioners for residential use.
3.10.
On 1st April the new CCT funding triennium began under The Payments to the Churches
Conservation Trust Order 2011. The Commissioners’ contribution to the CCT remains
frozen at £1.355 million per annum, met from a combination of a one-third share of net
sale proceeds from the disposal of other closed churches and grant from the
Commissioners’ general fund. In the meantime, the Government’s grant will be cut in real
terms by some 20% between 2010 and 2015, following almost continuous flat funding
between 2001 and 2010.
3.11.
In these difficult circumstances the CCT has continued to work hard to secure a
sustainable future by, for example:

pursuing, with the Commissioners’ assistance, suitable opportunities to lease or
devest buildings in its care;

increasing and diversifying its self-generated income, to reduce its reliance on core
grant funding, including setting up a wholly owned trading subsidiary and an
independent charitable foundation; and
4

3.12.
assisting in a small number of preventative projects (either by providing advice and
assistance on vestable churches whose future is under consideration, or helping
secure viable community uses for churches which have closed).
The draft Miscellaneous Provisions Measure includes provision for the CCT to make gifts,
with the Commissioners’ consent, to its charitable foundation.
The Committee approved the vesting in the CCT of Grade I listed Fallinge St Edmund (Manchester) (on the left),Grade II* St Botolph’s
St Botolph (Chichester) (centre) and Grade I Freeby St Mary (Leicester) (on the right).
3.13.
The CCT has earmarked £2 million for its new vestings budget in the next 3 years. Its
continuing ability to take on highly listed buildings, which otherwise would be a drain on
parish or diocesan resources, supports the wider mission of the Church and it is the
Commissioners’ decision as to which buildings to place in its care. In 2012 the Committee
approved in principle three new vestings; St Botolph St Botolph’s (Chichester), Falinge St
Edmund (Manchester) and Freeby St Mary (Leicester), the latter conditional on an agreed
English Heritage repairs grant.
3.14.
As part of its continuing efforts to set its estate on a firm footing for the future, the CCT is
addressing the particular challenges of its major urban churches and their potential for
facilitating local regeneration through active use.
The Georgian Sunderland Holy Trinity (Durham) (left and centre) where the CCT is working with partners to develop “The Canny Space”
as a centre to provide local people with a range of learning, training and employment opportunities across the areas of heritage, the arts and
technology; Ipswich St Mary at Quay (ST E & I) (right) where the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded a £3.6 million grant towards a joint
project between the CCT and Suffolk Mind to provide a community Wellbeing Heritage centre.
Demolition
3.15.
During the year we made 3 schemes providing for demolition of closed church buildings. In
addition, the Committee considered representations against two draft demolition schemes,
5
including the proposed demolition of Grade II listed Stanley St Peter (Wakefield). Among
those objecting to the latter were the Victorian Society and the Ancient Monuments
Society, whose sustained objections triggered the first referral to the Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government in over ten years.
3.16.
Under a longstanding agreement with Government, the Commissioners have undertaken
to ask the Secretary of State whether he wishes to hold a non-statutory public inquiry or
hearing into the proposed demolition of a listed church or an unlisted church within a
conservation area where there are sustained objections from English Heritage, the
Statutory Advisory Committee, the local planning authority or a national amenity society.
In considering what recommendation to make, the Secretary of State will take into account
the financial implications of retaining a church building as well as the architectural and
historic interest of the building and any relevant planning and other factors. The
Commissioners have agreed to accept the Secretary of State’s decision. In the case of
Stanley St Peter the Secretary of State decided not to hold an inquiry or hearing, so
demolition may proceed.
The grade II listed church of Stanley St Peter (Wakefield) whose proposed demolition was referred
to the Secretary of State who decided not to hold a non statutory public inquiry or hearing.
3.17.
The Report to the Board last year highlighted the Committee’s reflection on whether we
should pursue proposals for demolition more vigorously, even in the case of listed
buildings, having seen examples of the negative impact generated by such buildings in an
increasingly derelict condition, including where authorised uses have not been fully
implemented or sustained. This informs current casework, and the need to take potentially
difficult decisions on possible demolition at an earlier stage is likely to result in further
potential referrals to the Secretary of State. Given that the National Planning Policy
Framework published in March 2012 sets out that substantial harm to or loss of a Grade II
listed building should be exceptional, and to a Grade II* or Grade I listed building should be
wholly exceptional, our pursuit of such cases is only taken after very careful consideration
where we consider there is no feasible alternative.
4.
Committee Visit to Diocese of Durham
4.1.
Our visit to the Diocese of Durham in part echoed some of the themes of our previous
visit to Sheffield and Bradford, notably in the challenges presented by an inherited building
stock, particularly from the Victorian era, which in many instances was not now viewed as
fit for purpose. In many places congregations were no longer capable of sustaining both
6
mission and the upkeep of their buildings, particularly where the latter were in poor
condition and facing high repair costs.
4.2.
Diocesan strategies for mission and ministry which were being developed included
strengthening the life of the Diocese at the grass roots level through training in leadership
roles and a re-assessment of the basis for parish share. So far as buildings were concerned
there was a hope that future growth might ensure that churches at present under threat
would come to be better utilised. This had raised the question of whether a “half-way
house” was possible, that is, of some churches being closed for worship in the present but
kept available for other possibilities in the future. We visited an example where the
shared use of a school building for worship had found that freed of the responsibility or
burden of an unsuitable building, the congregation was now growing.
4.3.
Among the churches we visited was the closed church building of Sockburn All Saints,
currently the responsibility of the Diocesan Board of Finance. Situated within a wider area
of major historic and archaeological importance the original church was likely to have been
the place of consecration for bishops and archbishops as early as the late 8th century.
Although much of the earliest structure is now only a ruin, the adjoining Conyers Chapel
(rebuilt and restored in 1900) holds a remarkable collection of late 9th and 10th century
Viking sculptured stones. Following our visit English Heritage are undertaking an Options
Appraisal for the re-use of the adjacent Sockburn Hall, its grounds and All Saints Church.
Its aspiration is to bring the site into single ownership and resolve the daunting financial
and funding challenges. This followed lively debate on the site as to the way forward and
what legitimate expectations might be placed on the DBF in caring for an outstanding
archaeological collection and the impact on the Church’s mission.
The ruins of Sockburn All Saints (left) vest in the Durham DBF by virtue of the Measure. On the right is the Grade II listed
closed church of Gateshead St Cuthbert which closed in 1991 and had a long history of failed attempts to find a sustainable
use before it was sold in 2009 for office use; work on conversion is under way.
5.
Committee Public Hearings of Representations and Consideration of Other
Cases
5.1.
We held public hearings to consider representations against 7 draft schemes settling the
future of closed church buildings (4 in 2011). Five provided for alternative uses and 2 for
demolition, including the proposed demolition of the Grade II listed church of Stanley St
Peter (Wakefield). In each case we decided the draft scheme should proceed.
7
5.2.
We also approved a grant of £17,250 from the TMA towards a package of pre-transfer
repairs and the gift to the National Trust of Grade II* listed Benthall St Bartholomew
(Hereford); and the freehold disposal of the residential development on the demolished
part of the partially closed church of Fulham Fields St Andrew (London).
6.
Financial Issues
Sale Proceeds
6.1.
The impact of the economic downturn is reflected in the slight decrease in the amount of
net proceeds arising from the disposal of closed church buildings and sites, totalling just
under £1.3 million (just over £1.4 million in 2011).
6.2.
Since the Mission and Pastoral Measure came into effect in 1969 over £50 million has been
raised in net proceeds from the disposal of closed churches and their sites, of which we
have distributed nearly £36.5 million to dioceses to support the work of the living Church.
Fuller details are provided in Annex E, while below is a breakdown of the £20.047 million2
raised in net proceeds and their application over the last 10 years.
Year
Total
To
DPA
CCT/
TMA
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
£
1,185,482
1,980,507
2,255,097
1,210,951
2,983,336
3,999,759
1,737,109
1,992,383
1,403,731
1,298,168
£
790,321
1,320,338
1,503,398
807,301
1,989,191
2,666,506
1,158,072
1,328,255
935,621
865,445
£
395,161
660,169
751,699
403,650
994,445
1,333,253
579,036
664,128
467,810
432,723
Temporary Maintenance Account
6.3.
In 1994 the Commissioners set up the Temporary Maintenance Account (TMA) to assist
dioceses in maintaining closed church buildings while their future is settled. Since then £1.1
million has been set aside from net sale proceeds to finance the TMA. Under Rules drawn
up by the Committee the standard rate for reimbursement of eligible expenditure is 70%
but under certain criteria a higher rate of up to 90% may apply. Expenditure from the
TMA in 2011 amounted to £77,810.
6.4.
As reported earlier, provision has been made in the draft Miscellaneous Provisions
Measure to widen the scope of the TMA to assist directly with use seeking, for example,
through obtaining planning permission/listed building consent prior to marketing, thereby
helping to achieve a better financial outcome, and also to enable assistance with the cost of
demolition of closed churches.
7.
Review of 2012
7.1.
A number of key areas for 2012 were highlighted in last year’s Committee report. Below
we set out how these have been progressed:
2
The figures for net proceeds provided in this paragraph and the Table do not include monies raised from the disposal of closed
churches and applied towards replacement churches or places of worship in the context of replacement schemes pursued under
section 58 of the 2011 Measure.
8

Providing training and support for the introduction of the consolidated Mission and
Pastoral Measure 2011, due to come into effect on 1 July 2012, with its accompanying
Code of Recommended Practice.
In addition to finalising the updated Code of Practice and all related guidance, the
Department arranged two well-attended Summer conferences, in York and London, to mark
the coming into effect of the new Measure. Individually tailored training for newly appointed
diocesan staff continues to be provided. The coming into effect of the consolidated Measure
also necessitated updating all other standard letters, proforma and Web-related material.

Continuing to focus on the professional development of the staff team and its
regionalisation, adding value by promoting greater pro-activity in use seeking and
working closer with dioceses.
The programme of external secondments for case officers undertaking professionally
recognised qualifications was completed during the year.

Promoting the exploration of building related issues as part of research on the
mission achievements and strategies being developed in dioceses.
So far this has largely been pursued through facilitating work being undertaken by two PhD
students researching, respectively, the impact of closure on local church communities in
Leicestershire and on closed church buildings in Liverpool. We continue to liaise with English
Heritage on potential research issues while we planning to undertake further work on the
sustainability of new uses. We are making adaptations to our database to better facilitate
this.

Reviewing our arrangements for consultation when publishing draft schemes.
Taking into account issues which arose during the Committee’s consideration of
representation cases, new arrangements have been implemented whereby a local
consultation plan is drawn up for each publication of a draft scheme settling the future of a
closed church building. This now usually involves local leafleting and a drop-in surgery in the
locality in addition to the statutory consultation.

Organising a series of regional seminars which draw together the various strands of
diocesan resources and strategy and provide support on the management of change
and conflict.
The Department brought together colleagues from other NCI Departments, including
Ministry, Mission and Public Affairs, the Strategy and Development Unit, and the Cathedrals
and Church Buildings to plan a series of regional seminars for senior diocesan staff on
Mission, Money and Ministry. The first such seminar was held in January 2013.
7.2
In 2012 the staff also undertook an audit of all current lease cases with a view to instituting
an annual monitoring exercise of leases.
8.
Looking ahead
8.1.
The Committee and staff continue to fulfil the Commissioners’ statutory functions and
share their knowledge and expertise to facilitate the wider work of the Church and settle
the future of closed church buildings.
9
8.2.
Key areas for 2013 will include:

Completion of the series of regional seminars on the theme of Mission, Ministry and
Money aimed at helping dioceses to develop co-ordinated strategic thinking in
conjunction with NCI colleagues.

Arranging and participating in training sessions for senior clergy and diocesan staff
on use of the Mission and Pastoral Measure in their roles.

Further modernisation of consultation procedures including a pilot project
publishing draft Schemes and papers on the Commissioners’ website.

Completing the programme of regional deployment of Case Officers.

Encouraging a dialogue on the development of a halfway house between parish
ownership or responsibility for church buildings and their formal closure,
sometimes called “mothballing”.
9.
Members and Staff
9.1.
In October the Committee said farewell to Timothy Walker, CB who had played a
significant role in developing the Public Hearing process and expressed their gratitude for
his expertise and friendship during his time as Third Estates Commissioner and Chair of
the Committee. Members were also grateful for the contribution to its work of Jacob
Vince prior to his transfer to Bishoprics and Cathedrals Committee.
9.2.
The Committee was again grateful for the professionalism and expertise of the staff and for
the support which it received in another challenging year.
10
10.
The Report
10.1.
The Committee presents this Report on its work during 2012 to the Annual General
Meeting and invites its consideration.
Andrew Mackie (Chairman)
Church House
Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3AZ
June 2013
11
List of Annexes
A
Committee Terms of Reference and Membership
B
Summary of Schemes Made in 2012 and other Transactions
C
Futures of Closed Church Buildings and Sites 1969-2012
D
Analysis of Alternative Uses Since 1969
E
Financing the Churches Conservation Trust
12
Annex A
Church Buildings (Uses and Disposals) Committee
Terms of Reference
As agreed by the Board of Governors on 19 April 2012.
1.
The Church Buildings (Uses and Disposals) Committee is a statutory committee
under the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 appointed by the Board of Governors
to conduct such business as is referred to it under these terms of reference in
relation to buildings closed for regular public worship and related matters.
Membership
2.
The Church Buildings (Uses and Disposals) Committee shall comprise:

the Third Church Estates Commissioner (who shall chair meetings of the
Committee);

four members of the clergy;

four other lay persons;

and any such additional members as the Board shall from time to time
appoint.
A majority of the members of the Committee shall be Commissioners. The
Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport shall nominate one member of the
Committee.
Functions
3.
The Committee shall be responsible for:(i)
Subject to (ii) below, the functions of the Commissioners relating to:
(a) closed churches; and
(b) churches in use where this involves exercise of the Commissioners’ power
under section 57(17) of the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 to ask
the Churches Conservation Trust to provide advice in respect of a
church in use whose future is under consideration (such power to be
exercised in conjunction with the Pastoral Committee).
(ii)
any financial matters (including the administration of any schemes of grants or
loans) assigned to the Committee by the Board subject to such conditions as
the Board may impose.
13
4.
The Committee shall have power to do and complete: (i)
(ii)
5.
Subject to (ii) below all the matters assigned to them under paragraph 3,
except the following matters where the Committee shall consider and
report to the Board:(a)
any matters requiring new legislation;
(b)
any matters of general policy; and
(c)
any other matters where the Committee so wish.
Where any representation by way of objection is received by the
Commissioners with respect to a draft pastoral (church buildings disposal)
scheme or to provisions relating to closed churches in a draft pastoral church
buildings scheme where the use of a closed church for non-Christian religious
purposes is proposed; the Committee shall: –
(a)
before considering the representation, consult the Board;
(b)
in determining whether the scheme should proceed notwithstanding the
representation, pay particular regard to the views expressed by the
Board; and
(c)
report its decision to the next following meeting of the Board.
The Committee shall submit to the Board each year a report of its work during the
year.
Quorum
6.
The Committee shall have a quorum of three, at least two of whom shall be
Commissioners.
Agreed by the Board on 19 April 2012
14
Church Buildings (Uses and Disposals) Committee
Membership during 2012
Mr Timothy Walker (until October 2012)
(Chairman and Third Church Estates Commissioner)
The Reverend Stephen Trott
(Deputy Chairman)
Mrs April Alexander
Canon Bob Baker
Mr Brian Carroll
Canon Peter Cavanagh*
Mr John Steel*
The Reverend Simon Talbott*
Mr Charles Wilson (nominated by the Department of Media, Culture and
Sport)*
* Non-Commissioner
Main Objectives
The Committee oversees the delivery by the Closed Churches Division of its main
objectives to determine the future of closed church buildings as laid down by the Mission
and Pastoral Measure 2011, securing a suitable alternative use in as many cases as possible
and thereafter arranging for the best churches to be preserved. To these ends, the
Division:(a)
works with dioceses, the Church Buildings Council’s Statutory Advisory
Committee (SAC), English Heritage and local planning authorities to secure
suitable alternative uses for closed churches, providing all necessary guidance and
encouragement.
(b)
works with the SAC, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and
the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) to ensure the preservation of the most
meritorious closed churches for which no suitable uses can be found, taking full
account also of financial and pastoral implications; and
(c)
carries out these and other divisional functions as economically as is consistent
with providing a high quality service.
15
Annex B
Church Closures 1969-2012
Summary of Schemes Made in 2012
In 2012, 28 schemes (26 in 2011) were made to settle the future of closed church buildings, of
which:

18 made initial provision for the future of buildings (14 for alternative use, 1 for
preservation in the CCT, and 3 for demolition and disposal of sites);

9 amended earlier schemes (including one divesting from the CCT for alternative use);
and

1 provided for restoration of a closed church to use as a place of worship.
Of the 18 schemes making initial provision for a building, 5 were at the time of closure, 5 within 2
years, 5 between 2 to 4 years and 3 over 4 years following closure (including 1 which had been
closed for over 10 years).
The most common new uses provided for in schemes made were residential (9); worship by
other Christian bodies (5) and community use (4).
Schemes made in 2012 schemes included authorisation of the demolition of Shiregreen St Hilda (Sheffield) (left),
and the sale of New Brighton All Saints (Chester) (right) for worship by the Jubilee Church Wirral.
16
Annex C
Futures of closed church buildings and sites settled 1969 to 2012
The futures of 1,865 former church buildings or sites have now been settled under the Mission and
3
Pastoral Measure since 1969 (including 68 closed under earlier legislation, for which an amending scheme
has made new provision and 95 sites of churches demolished other than under the Measure) . In addition
20 closed churches have been restored to parish use during this period, while 4 others have been subject
to Compulsory Purchase Orders.
Over the whole period alternative uses have been found for well over half of all closed churches dealt with
(this proportion has been steadily increasing: from 1990 onwards it has exceeded 70%, while between 2000
and 2011 alternative uses were found for over 80% of churches whose futures were settled by scheme).
Table 2 below sets out the current authorised futures for closed church buildings dealt with under the
Pastoral Measure4.
A more detailed breakdown of use, preservation and demolition categories follows.
These statistics relate to schemes and Deeds brought into effect rather than schemes made, a change introduced in
2012 to more accurately reflect the current authorised use for buildings and sites.
3
4
Table 2 includes the sites of the 95 church buildings demolished other than under the Mission and Pastoral Measure
(including 4 demolished following closure under the Measure but not by scheme). It excludes those closed churches
subsequently restored to parish use and those subject to Compulsory Purchase Orders. Where provision has been
made more than once for a building, only the latest authorised outcome is shown, including where this has been
provided for by Deed of Variation following disposal of the freehold.
17
Annex D
Analysis of Alternative Uses since 1969
Alternative Uses
Adjuncts to adjoining estates
Arts and crafts
Civic, cultural or community
Educational
Light industrial
Monument
Museums
Music or drama
Office or shopping
Other
Other church related
Private and school chapel
Residential
Sports
Storage
Worship by other Christian bodies
7
20
148
35
8
147
16
15
58
5
78
23
283
13
21
163
Sub Total
1040
(inc 12 partial)
(inc 1 partial)
(inc 3 partial)
(inc 1 partial)
(inc 20 partial)
(inc 1 partial)
(inc 38 partial)
Preservation
Churches Conservation Trust
Diocesan Boards of Finance
Secretary of State
342
6
4
Sub Total
352
Demolitions and Site Disposals
The pattern of site disposals for closed church buildings which have been or are in the course of being
totally demolished (including 16 demolished under faculty) is as follows:Additions to Churchyards
Housing Associations
Local Authorities
New Places of Worship
Other Community Purposes
Other purchasers
Not yet decided
51
81
70
64
32
165
10
Sub Total
473
Grand Total
1,865
18