A landmark grade 11 bell tower from a bombed church stands isolated in front of a 1950s replacement. A derelict un-insulated over-sized hall lies beyond, with adjacent parking & vicarage. This appraisal addressed disability access to the church, its liturgical planning, the ongoing maintenance of the tower, the hall, site security & the adjacent public realm. Additionally unsupervised dead end spaces at its boundary with the church are a notable problem for the adjoining estate.
Options studied included a mutually beneficial land swap with the adjacent estate to reconfigure the boundary. Disability facilities are provided throughout with new parking close to the church entrance. A modern sustainable multi-functional facility (235 sq.m) is constructed to the rear of the site, containing a small hall, WC's, stores, kitchen, its own garden along with improved presence and visibility.
The old bell tower is restored, extended and divested. The concealed external areas to the church frontage are secured by a courtyard. The public realm is enlarged back to the former church frontage line to improve amenity, providing a gateway space and possible tram/bus stop location. Church railings and front enclosing walls are removed with residual wall elements retained to provide seating.
This creates a valuable civic improvement, a new physical identity and focus for the community, and a renewal of the church estate that is sustainable in the long term.