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18
Sept 2024
Plans approved to bring Knaresborough church ‘more up to date’
Plans to modify parts of a Knaresborough church have been approved.
Reverend Garry Hinchcliffe, who is also rector at St John the Baptist Church and team rector of Knaresborough Anglican Team Ministry, submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council in July.
Reverend Hinchcliffe told the Stray Ferret the proposals will bring St John’s “more up to date without losing its historic nature”.
The Grade I listed building will be made “more accessible”, the reverend said, adding an electric push-button will be installed to help open a “heavy door”, while changes to the porch floor will be made to make the ground more level.
The reverend told the Stray Ferret the church “won’t change from the outside”, but improvements will be made to the internal parts of the doors. This means the doors will be able to open outwards, and lighting and heat retention will be improved.
A planning document says the existing doors are "unweildy, dangerous" and have "injured occupants when they've swung open without warning".
Documents also suggest the proposal will allow people to “appreciate the church equally”, adding:
The proposed internal reordering will make the church more inviting, more useful, and more accessible for all. Currently the primary access to the church is via the south porch where disabled badge holder parking is also located.
Level access to the church can currently be gained from the north aisle, but this discriminates against wheelchair users, forcing them to take the long way round and enter separately to all other visitors. Re-grading the stone flags within the porch to eliminate the existing step will allow all users to enter and appreciate the church equally.
The application also outlined plans to install a new kitchenette area to the rear of the church, which Reverend Hinchcliffe said will be “hidden”, while a small number of pews will be removed to form a crèche area and improve access for wheelchair users.
The church also applied for new lighting and changes to the existing heating and air ventilation systems.
Reverend Hinchcliffe told the Stray Ferret the church, which is part of the Diocese of Leeds, received a “private donation” to fund the work.
The Reverend did not disclose the figure donated but said it will “cover the whole cost” of the plans.
North Yorkshire Council approved the application subject to conditions last Thursday (September 12). However, Reverend Hinchcliffe said it still requires approval from the Church of England before work can start.
He told the Stray Ferret:
I really want work to start by the beginning of January. I’m not sure how long it will take yet, but we are hoping the church won’t have to close as work is carried out.
People will just have to be conscious of the work going on.
The Reverend encouraged people to visit “one of Knaresborough’s best kept secrets” and have a look at the church once the changes are complete.
St John the Baptist Church was built in the 12th Century, before being restored in 1870. But plans add it is a “mainly 15th Century church” built with local stone, with slate and lead roof coverings.
It is located on Vicarage Lane and is open 8.30am until 4pm, Monday to Saturday, and 8am until 4pm on Sundays.
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