10:14am Thursday 23rd October 2008
By Lisa Campbell
A church judge has ruled in favour of parishioners who want to remove pews to modernise their medieval building.
The Chancellor of Bradford Diocese, Judge John Walford, has given the provisional go ahead to the Rev Robin Figg and his backers at St Andrew’s Church, Kildwick.
And because of the credit crunch, he has allowed them until the end of 2010 to raise the cash – about £750,000.
The project will involve removing pews to make a more “flexible” area of worship, improving the heating system, fitting a sound and light system and new lavatory and kitchen facilities.
Judge Walford said he could not rule on specific elements of the plans “due to the present extraordinary economic climate” and would deliver his final verdict by the end of 2010.
When the proposal was published last year, it sparked opposition from some villagers who claimed it would spoil the character and beauty of St Andrew’s, known as the “lang kirk of Craven” because it has the longest nave in the whole of Craven.
Acknowledging the objections, Judge Walford also noted there was “substantial local support” and backing from the diocesan advisory committee, the Council for the Care of Churches, English Heritage, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, the Victorian Society and Craven Council.
“I am satisfied that there is a need for some re-ordering of the church,” he said.
He added that in the present uncertain times “it could seem insensitive, if not offensive, for the church to be lavishing huge sums of money on a scheme of re-ordering on this scale”. Mr Figg said: “We have always agreed that it is important to raise sufficient money before works can begin.
“In the present economic climate we are aware that raising substantial sums will not be easy, but we believe that it is our responsibility to do all that we can to ensure the survival of our beautiful building.”
He stressed that the new facilities were not just for committed Christians but for use by all the community seven days a week.
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