Dear Supporters,

Visitor parking during construction phase

We have previously noted that there is no provision for visitor parking during the construction phase as per the planning documents submitted. We have therefore written to the Church Commissioners and the Diocese to request this. 

Planning Committee Minutes

The Runnymede Planning Committee minutes from the decision to approve the planning application to convert the church into five flats on October 2nd, 2019 have now been published. 

The minutes note that the Councillors (called "Members") expressed the following concerns:

"Some Members commented over the restricted amount of usable amenity space for future occupiers and the impact of a large number of mature trees and existing graves on the private amenity area, and potential conflict with visitors to the graves. Comments were also expressed over light levels in downstairs flats that would impact on the residential amenities of future occupiers of the flats. Some Members would prefer the building to be used for a community use."

Councillor Kusneraitis requested that the names of those voting be recorded and the voting was as follows:

For: 8 (Councillors Anderson-Bassey, Broadhead, Furey, Gill, Nuti, Snow, Sohi, Willingale)

Against: 6 (Councillors Cressey, Edis, King, Kusneraitis, Mullens, D Whyte)

Memorials in the church

The Church Commissioners confirm that "restrictive covenants are imposed on the sale of closed churches and one of our standard clauses provides that there should be no disturbance, removal or relocation of these items without the Commissioners’ prior consent."

We have request that if any memorials or items are to be removed from the church that the public is notified. 

We have found an undocumented memorial in the church via photos provided by Alan Bostock. There is a memorial set in the floor to George Mason who was a Vicar of the Parish and passed away in 1899. Of interesting note, George Mason travelled to British Columbia Canada and was Dean of the Cathedral in Victoria between 1878–1881.

We will be requesting that this memorial is added to the documented list of items which the Diocese keeps. 

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

Theresa Burton

fochristchurchlongcross@gmail.com