This thirteenth-century, Grade I listed church is home to an internationally important set of mid-twentieth-century wall paintings. A petition was made for a faculty for various works to improve the environment for the paintings, alongside other proposals to improve the church's facilities and decorative order. Many aspects of the application were uncontroversial but various issues remained for consideration. Proposals for installing draught-stripping to the north door as a way of controlling airflow into the church were supported by the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) and were within the range of adequate solutions to the problem, having been informed by expert conservation advice. The court accepted that the installation of WC and tea-serving facilities in the base of the tower would cause no harm to the significance of the church. It was not for the court to compare that proposal with counter-proposals for an external development that had not been advanced by the petitioners. The court was also satisfied that the proposal for a new reredos to be painted by a descendant of the original artists would cause no harm to the church; the wooden panels could be relocated later if that were to be sought.

The removal of the organ had been previously authorised. The proposals to retain some pipes as screening were not supported by the Church Buildings Council, in line with its general guidance on the replacement of pipe organs with digital organs, but the court was satisfied that the proposals would not harm the significance of the church. While the matter was marginal, the court was prepared to approve the proposal. Finally, the court was satisfied that a wide range of conservation expertise had been brought to bear on the proposals, and accepted the DAC's view that the proposals did not put the paintings at risk. It saw no reason to impose a requirement for a permanent standing committee as a compulsory consultee for any proposals about the ongoing management and conservation of the interior of the church. [DW]