Discussion of the Makin Review and the sufficiency of the Church of England’s safeguarding procedures is quite rightly at the top of this week’s General Synod agenda (Church must face abuse failings to regain public’s trust, 7 February).
Few are aware, however, that a proposal to deregulate the disposal process for church buildings is on the same Synod agenda. The Church of England has around 12,500 listed churches. The new Mission and Pastoral Measure and Regulations were published for the first time two weeks ago. Prior to their publication, they had not been seen by the Church Buildings Council, DCMS, Historic England, the National Amenity Societies, local authorities, parishes – or indeed members of the general public interested in the fate of our historic churches.
Under these new proposals, the Church of England would be able to bypass the expertise and independence of the Church Buildings Council and its Statutory Advisory Committee, either completely or until long after decisions have already been made and it is too late. Protection for highly significant listed buildings and fittings and fixtures would be worryingly eroded. The new Measure would allow the closure of listed churches without adequate public scrutiny and informed plans for their future, including maintenance once closed. There appears to be a vague assumption that the under-resourced secular system will pick up the pieces.
The legislation being debated this week has profound consequences for our national heritage. It should be the subject of proper consultation and national debate – not an after-thought on a Synod agenda inevitably dominated by other business.
James Grierson, Chair, The Victorian Society
Duncan McCallum, Chair, The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
Sara Robertson, Chair, Historic Buildings and Places
Sir Philip Rutnam, Chair, The National Churches Trust
Paul Zisman, Chair, The Georgian Group
