In determining a petition for a faculty to authorise the construction of a link building between the Grade II listed church and church centre, and extensive internal re-ordering, the chancellor observed that where it was clear that petitioners and the Diocesan Advisory Committee would not be able agree on proposals, it would be better for the petition to come to the consistory court as soon as the issues were clearly defined. The chancellor granted a faculty for the proposals other than those affecting the chancel and east end of the church, which would have involved the construction of a curtain wall and turning the chancel into meeting rooms, offices and storage space. That aspect of the proposals, which constituted a permanent dismantling of the chancel designed by George Pace in 1954–6, was objected to by Historic England, the Twentieth Century Society and the Church Buildings Council. The petitioners argued that the existence of the chancel was in conflict with the evangelical churchmanship of the church's leaders and congregation, as it emphasised a separation of clergy and laity and was a catholic arrangement. The chancellor considered that, while the petitioners might believe that the design was intended to emphasise separation between priest and congregation, contrary to their churchmanship, they were not obliged to use the chancel in that way. Their view might justify changes in which the space was used but could not justify the dismantling of an architecturally significant feature, the retention of which did not compromise their liturgical freedom. Permission was accordingly refused for the proposed works affecting the chancel. [Alexander McGregor]