Dear Supporters,

It is with deep regret we share with you that the Runnymede Planning Committee approved the application for conversion of the church into five flats by a vote of 8 for and 6 against. 

This is a significant loss for the future residents of the Longcross Garden Village who will no longer be able to enjoy and use this building as part of their community. 

1. There are a number of significant planning conditions which have been imposed regarding protection of trees, materials, landscaping, biodiversity, habitat, bat protection, drainage, parking, cycle storage, bin storage, electric vehicle charging points and railings for the fence to surround the private amenity space. 

We will monitor and ensure these planning conditions are met.

2. We have documented and taken photos of all of the 17 beautiful stained glass windows.

We will monitor and ensure these are not damaged or removed during the construction phase. 

3. Visitors have a right to visit the graves of their loved ones and family members both during and after construction. 

We will continue to advocate to ensure these rights are maintained.

4. No visitor parking spot has been allocated during the construction phase. 

We will continue to advocate for safe parking for visitors, also during the construction phase which currently does not allocate a visitor parking spot. 

We will continue to update you on the church and report the development as it is undertaken. 

We will post a more detailed response to the planning permission granted once the minutes from the Planning Committee meeting and the associated decision notice have been published. 

We are very proud to have represented you and the concerns of all who wanted to save the church for the Longcross Garden Village.

One day we will share this story with those new residents so that they know that everything was done to try and save the church for them. That there were people who cared and were forward thinking of what role the church could play in their new community. 

Kind regards, on behalf of the Friends of Christ Church Longcross. 

Theresa Burton

fochristchurchlongcross@gmail.com

Note: The photo is of the beautiful mosaic directly behind the Altar curtesy of Alan Bostock.