Dear Supporters
Formation of Group of Relatives with Family members interred in the Graveyard
Given the issues highlighted below, a group of relatives with family members interred in the graveyard is being formed.
Under the "Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991" relatives are considered a "relevant person" and have rights under that act relating to actions taken in the graveyard and can raise objections.
If you are a relative of a family member interred in the graveyard, or know someone who is, please let them know of the formation of this group.
They can email fochristchurchlongcross@gmail.com for more information.
Construction Started
Since we last wrote over a year ago, construction has started on the former church building. The tiled mosaic floor has been broken up and used as hardcore for the parking area. Cement has been poured, steel works delivered and trenching for services begun.
Theresa Burton, founder of FCCL and a local councillor, raised concerns around the protection of the porch of the Grade II listed former church building while construction works were ongoing, and as a result of a visit by Runnymede Council, protective hoarding was laid down and put up to protect it.
Lack of Maintenance of the Graveyard
Gary Humphreys, who bought the former church building in July 2020 (plus a small allocation of land on the west side of the church that has no graves), has yet, after almost two years, to make good on his written promise in his submission to the Church Commissioners to maintain the graveyard.
Despite a meeting with Christ Church Virginia Water (CCVW) yesterday (May 27, 2022), no progress has been made. CCVW have no powers to enforce this promise, having been let down by the Diocese of Guildford who arranged the sale and the various legal contracts associated with it. CCVW also received zero funding from the sale of the building or any contribution from the Diocese toward the maintenance of the graveyard, despite being told it was their responsibility.
Lack of Visitor Parking Space during the Construction Period
Despite submitting a document as part of his planning application which illustrated a visitor parking space in the "Construction Management Plan", Gary Humphreys has yet to make good his promise to provide one visitor parking space during the construction period.
This issue was raised with the Runnymede Planning Enforcement team but unfortunately, because the Construction Management Plan was not made an explicit condition, it is unenforceable.
Structures/Debri on the graveyard:
A family member reported that they found it very distasteful that a portaloo was installed on the graveyard very near interred remains and after this complaint, it was moved to the parking lot where it was supposed to be. As well, after raising awareness, debris from cutting down a tree which was left on the graveyard, near a recent burial site, has been cleared.
Next Steps
A group of those with relatives in the graveyard is being formed to join together to protect the graveyard and raise collectively any issues. If you are a relative of a family member interred in the graveyard, or know someone who is, please let them know of the formation of this group.
They can email fochristchurchlongcross@gmail.com for more information.
Kind regards and thank you for your continued support,
Theresa Burton
Founder of Friends of Christ Church Longcross