The vicar and churchwardens petitioned for a faculty for the complete demolition of this unlisted church dating from 1878 with substantial additions over the following century. The church was to be replaced by a new multi-purpose church centre and hall. Planning permission had been granted. The petitioners argued that the unhappy incongruity and limitations of the building hampered the church's mission in the parish and created significant obstacles to the growth of the congregation. The condition of the building meant that large sums would have to be spent in order to put it in an acceptable state of repair and the petitioners maintained that that money was better spent on a newly designed building which would meet the needs of the parish. The bishop had consented to the proposals. The only objections to the scheme were from the Victorian Society and a small number of local objectors. The Victorian Society argued for the retention of the existing church building. Concerns were also raised about the preservation of the finer fittings and stained glass.

The chancellor found that the preconditions for the grant of a faculty for demolition under section 17 of the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991 had been satisfied. The church was not a building of special architectural or historic interest, although some of the windows and furniture had some significance. The chancellor observed that demolition was the last option to be considered but in this case found that to retain the existing building would prevent the parish from developing their mission. An alternative, piecemeal development of the existing building would not overcome the problems currently experienced and the need for purposeful mission rebutted the presumption against change. The chancellor granted the faculty on condition that the significant glass and furnishings should be incorporated into the new building and on condition that no works would commence until funding was in place for the proposals. [RA]