Alternative plan to sell rural church

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Thursday, 28 July 2022 19:04

By By Gavin McEwan - Local Democracy Reporter

Views are being sought on the fate of a rural Herefordshire church after a controversial plan to convert it to a house fell through.

The Church Commissioner for England is consulting on a plan to sell St Andrew’s Church, Wolferlow, north of Bromyard, “for monument, cultural and community uses”.

The church hit national headlines last October after locals objected to a plan to sell it to a developer, saying graves of their loved ones would then be on or adjacent to this new private property.

The plan was dropped shortly after.

Under the current plan, “rights of access over the land being sold with the church building will be reserved for people wishing to visit and tend family graves”, an explanatory note with the consultation explains.

The plan would also enable part of the churchyard to continue in use as a burial ground.

Unlike the previous proposal, the change of use would not require planning consent or a listed building consent, “as no alterations to the building are proposed”.

The proposal would also enable the current contents of the church “to be disposed of as the Bishop [of Hereford] shall direct”, the note adds.

Responses to the consultation can be made until August 22.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Hereford said: “The scheme has been developed in consultation with parties neighbouring the church and parish representatives. We hope it is more acceptable.

“We can confirm there is an interested party.”

The Grade II* listed church, parts of which date from the 12th century, closed for regular public worship in 2006.