Design Statement Malew Church

Design Statement In Support Of Planning Application For The Creation Of Additional Facilities At Malew Church

Introduction

In April 2007 Planning permission was granted in respect of an application which in essence comprised three parts:

• An extension to the rear of Malew Church comprising an office and lavatory, and a covered link to the Church
• A Lych gate at the present entrance to the Churchyard
• A graveyard store located in the graveyard on the opposite side of the road

Whilst the proposals in respect of the Lychgate and Graveyard store currently remain unchanged, the current application proposes changes to the approved extension.

The extension to the Church as currently approved comprises the demolition of the rear porch to make way for a frameless glass link through to a new Office and disabled/public WC. To achieve integration with the existing structure the existing staircase was to be modified and the interior of the church re-planned to accommodate the new access route.

During the Building Regs process building costs were sought for that extension. Unfortunately due to the current economic climate the cost of the extension is currently considered to be out-with an affordable budget. Further advice at that stage also led to the omission of the original proposal that the new structure be integrated with the services (water, heating etc) of the church building.

Whilst the overall need and accommodation requirements for the extension remain the same, an alternative scheme has been developed that omits the need for the glazed link and the associated alterations to the existing building.

The proposal

As previously stated the main focus of the proposal remains the same i.e. to provide an unheated Office/Staff Rest room and a public lavatory that is suitable for disabled use.

Whilst the style and nature of the extension remains the same, the single storey extension is now to be created as a stand-alone building, with the lines of the north transept and the west end of the nave setting the extent of its extremities. The lavatory also has to be increased in size to reflect the current requirements of the Local Disability Access Officer, with 1500mm circulation space required between the extension and the existing Porch to accommodate disabled manoeuvrability.

The overall size and layout of the extension has therefore been re-planned to facilitate the above issues.

Whilst its overall shape has changed, the space for the new accommodation is in essence approximately 5m2 smaller than previously approved, with the existing Church fabric no longer the subject of any change.

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As the new extension will no longer be visible to those traversing the existing staircase the requirement for a grass roof no longer exists. The proposals have therefore been modified in this respect too.

Summary & Conclusion

Whilst the overall size and layout of the extension has changed the character and style of the previously approved scheme has been maintained in the current proposals.

The scheme as now proposed will have less impact on the existing building and is in keeping with that previously approved.

Accordingly we trust these more modest proposals will receive the support that they deserve to facilitate an early start being made on these much needed public facilities.