St Peters Church Repair Statement
Ref: St Peters Parish Church, Onchan Repairs to Spire, Tower and West Walls
An application for Planning approval and Registered Building consent is being submitted to undertake urgent repairs to the spire, tower and west facing walls at St Peters Parish Church.
The tower and spire at St Peters Church, Onchan are estimated to be about 23 metres high and, excluding the buttresses, about 5 metres square. At the top of the spire is a cone of rendered stonework surmounted by a wrought iron cross and a lightening conductor. Repairs to the top of the spire, including repointing the top 7 metres and repairs to pointing down to level with the bottom of the bell chamber louvres, was carried out in 2014/15 by steeplejacks from the UK. Further work is now required to repoint the rest of the spire (working downwards from the bell chamber louvres and below the inverted "V") and the tower using lime mortar. Photo 1,2 \& 3 refers.
In July 2019 John Gray, Consulting Structural and Civil Engineer, conducted the Quinquennial Inspection. His subsequent report identified the urgent need to complete the repairs to the spire and tower as this part of the building is believed to be the most vulnerable part of the structure. Water ingress is causing damage to the interior walls and ceilings. The Inspection also identified that cracks above and below the windows in the west facing external walls (either side of the tower) should be prepared and filled with lime mortar as well as replacing the cement strap pointing with lime mortar. Photo 4. Photos 5 shows the buttress to the right (south facing) of the tower and photo 7 shows the buttress to the left (north facing) of the tower.
There is also evidence of vegetation growing in the mortar joints which should be raked out and replaced with lime mortar. Photo 6.
2 local companies were approached to provide estimates to undertake the work. Both companies quoted to :
- Erect scaffolding around the tower and the 2 wall buttresses adjoining either side of the tower
- Remove cement strap pointing and any vegetation
- Repoint with lime mortar
- Apply hydrophobing cream for extra weather proofing
- Dismantle scaffolding and clear the site
The quotes were presented at a meeting of the Parochial Church Council on Tuesday 17 March 2020. It was unanimously agreed that works on the tower, spire and west walls should commence as soon as possible and that approval be sought from the Diocesan Advisory Committee. An application has been made to the DAC at the same time as this application for Registered Building consent.
This application includes the following documents:
A. Form RBAP20.2 B. Photographs 1 – 7 showing the spire, tower and west walls together with evidence of cracks and vegetation. C. Quinquennial Inspection report – paras 4.3 and 4.4 D. Boundary Maps showing location of site. E. Floorplan of the church F. Redacted quote from the contractor
Elaine Litherland -Secretary to the PCC St Peters Parish Church On behalf of the church wardens and Parochial Church Council
