Work was needed to address weathering to a Grade I listed mediaeval church. The weathering had eroded stone hoods and reveals which were intended to direct water away from the walls. The petition sought to introduce new materials for the replacement hoods, and English Heritage and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings objected to the grant of a faculty on the basis that the faculty sought restoration works not simply conservation. The heart of the argument was the clash of philosophy between conserving the original stone with its weathered appearance (or ‘pleasing decay’) and restoration with new materials.

The chancellor held that the weathering of a church building indicated the fact that it had stood bearing witness to Our Lord and to the Church's mission over a number of years and that historic heritage and witness is an important part of the current mission of the Church. Nevertheless, the evidence suggested that longer-term restoration was needed rather than mere conservation. It was held that the benefits of the longer-term restoration work outweighed the arguments for simple conservation. The faculty was granted for the most comprehensive works, including introduction of metals for the hoods and restoration of the reveals to ensure the longer-term preservation of the building. [Catherine Shelley]