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Project to upgrade St Mary’s in Bloxham takes step forward
14/12/2021
A major milestone is achieved as the church’s equivalent of planning permission is granted
An ambitious £1.2m project to transform St Mary’s Church in Bloxham has taken another step forward. The three-phase plan aims to upgrade the building whilst protecting the Grade 1 listed Medieval church, large parts of which date back to the 14th century.
This week the Chancellor of the Diocesan Advisory Committee has granted the church’s equivalent of planning permission for a curved screen and the facilities proposed in the project. Achieving this milestone will now enable the project team to apply for grants which were dependant on the permission being in place.
The first of the project’s three phase sees a new heating system installed, together with the addition of toilets, a kitchen and audio visual equipment.
A complete restoration of the Victorian tiled floor is included in the second phase. The plans also include reducing the size of the large Victorian pews so they are moveable and complementing them with new standard chairs. A modern LED lighting system would also be installed.
The final phase includes enlarging the church vestry to create a meeting room and extra toilets. Inner glass doors would be added at the road facing west entry, and the bell ringing chamber would be raised, giving a stunning view of the church to those entering from the road outside.
The project is still on course to be delivered within a three-year target.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam