Church wall repair planned after six-month road closure

Harrogate Borough Council will have to grant itself Listed Building consent before a 40 metre section of church wall in Kirkby Malzeard can be reconstructed and repaired.

The large retaining wall partially collapsed during wet weather in February, causing the closure of a key transport route between Kirkby Malzeard and Masham.

While the reconstruction is necessary before the road can be reopened to through traffic, it is also required to protect the integrity of the ancient churchyard of St Andrew’s Parish Church.

Graves have been left in a precarious position because of the collapse of a ten metre section of the wall, which saw stone fall onto Church Street, forcing the closure of the road.

A planning application for the reconstruction, in addition to the repair of a further 30 metre section of the wall, is being submitted by the council and is currently at the consultation stage, which finishes on September 15. Comments can be submitted on the council’s planning website, using application number 20/02721/LB.

Photograph of St Andrew's Parish Church Kirkby Malzeard

St Andrew’s Parish Church in Kirkby Malzeard

However, the matter is not straightforward, because St Andrew’s is a Grade I listed building and special permissions are required.

The churchyard dates back to the 12th century and consultee Historic England said in a letter to the planning authority:

“The church complex, including the churchyard and wall is considered to have exceptional heritage significance which derives from its architectural styles, legible plan-form, good surviving historical fabric and its continued focal point for rural community life.”

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Government legislation says that if graves need to be disturbed for works, such as construction or the provision of utility services, licences and/or faculties will be required.

A report by archaeologists employed by HBC said:

“The overriding objective of the archaeological mitigation will be to avoid, or keep to a minimum, any disturbance of archaeological deposits, specifically graves and grave monuments.

“The objective of the mitigation strategy is to ensure that any archaeological deposits that might be uncovered can be recorded and that any human remains that are disturbed are treated appropriately.”