EXPLANATORY NOTE
Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011
Draft Pastoral (Church Buildings Disposal) Scheme
affecting the closed church of
St Margaret, Welsh Bicknor, Diocese of Hereford
This Note explains the contents of the attached draft Pastoral (Church
Buildings Disposal) Scheme, a legal document produced under The Mission
and Pastoral Measure 2011 (“the Measure”) which is statute law. The draft
Scheme provides for the future of the closed church building of St Margaret
and its churchyard.
Anyone who wishes may write to the Commissioners either in support of or
against any of the proposals in the draft Scheme or to request further
information.
Background
St Margaret’s was built on the site of its medieval predecessor in 1858-9 to
designs of the architect T H Rushforth in Norman and Early English styles.
Some medieval masonry and a 13th century effigy were incorporated in the
building. It is constructed of sandstone, and coursed Bath, Caen and pink
ashlar. The building comprises nave, porch, south aisle, south-west tower with
spire, chancel and vestry. The building stands in an isolated site on the north
bank of the river Wye.
St Margaret’s was closed for regular public worship with effect from 2 June
2010.
Views of the Church Buildings Council (CBC)
The CBC are statutory advisers to the Church Commissioners. The CBC have
advised that the site is of considerable historic and archaeological interest, and
the building (by a very highly regarded architect) is of some historic interest
and of outstanding value as a feature in the landscape. The CBC
recommended that a suitable alternative use be found for St Margaret’s. The
CBC also reported that the 13th century effigy; the pulpit, font and altar with
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embroidered frontal designed by Rushforth; and the stained glass by Clayton &
Bell were notable contents and fixtures.
Access
Access to the property is across land owned by the Courtfield Estate.
Planning matters
St Margaret’s is Grade II* listed and the churchyard contains Grade II listed
cross and 2 chest tombs. It is situated in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty.
The property currently falls within Class D1 of the Town & Country Planning
(Use Classes) Order as amended in 2005, which includes places of worship.
The draft proposals
The Diocese of Hereford has recommended the sale of the closed church and
its churchyard to the Courtfield Estate for use as a monument and for Christian
worship by any Christian body belonging to Churches Together in Britain and
Ireland.
The churchyard and burials
Covenants would be included in the Transfer some of which would prohibit the
disturbance of any human remains interred in the property, damage to any
tombstone, give access to relatives wishing to visit and tend particular graves
after prior written application to the owner, and permit, with the consent of the
owner, burials with grave markers in the churchyard for local families with a
genuine connection to St Margaret’s.
The draft Scheme
The Commissioners have considered the Diocese’s recommendation and are
content to publish draft proposals for the use of the building as a monument
and for Christian worship by any Christian body belonging to Churches
Together in Britain and Ireland which uses are deemed suitable ones for a
closed Anglican Church according to the Commissioners’ Code of Practice (to
the Mission & Pastoral Measure 2011).
Anyone who wishes may write to the Commissioners either for or against any
of the provisions of the draft scheme. If no objections to the proposals are
received, the scheme may be made by the Commissioners and brought into
effect. In the event of any objections to the draft scheme, a Committee of the
Commissioners would adjudicate on these at one of its future meetings.
Further information can be obtained from Anne Griffiths. Information on the
Mission & Pastoral Measure 2011 and procedures can also be found on the
website: www.ccpastoral.org.
Anne Griffiths
Church Commissioners
C/o Diocese of Birmingham
1 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2BJ
Tel: 0121 426 0436
anne.griffiths@churchofengland.org
February 2014
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