Longcross, Surrey - Friends of Christ Church Longcross are very pleased to announce the successful outcome of their campaign to safeguard the “special architectural and artistic interest”, including the significant contribution of the historic Stained Glass windows, of the former Grade II listed church building. The former church building, one of only two listed buildings in the Longcross area, was listed for its historic interest as “an unusually complete mid nineteenth-century church built in the Early English style under the provisions of the Patronage Act of 1831.”

After months of determined advocacy, we have secured a reconsidered Enforcement Decision by Runnymede’s Planning Committee that it is clear and unambiguous that the Listed Building planning breaches identified in the Built Heritage Advice are unauthorised, unlawful and enforceable.

The professional heritage advice of Place Services, the council’s heritage advisor, found the cumulative impact of the long list of harms of the unauthorised works to be very significant (of the “very highest end of the scale”) and recommended a series of remedies to mitigate those harms, including restoration and replacement with like-for-like materials where restoration is not possible.

The Place Services advice noted that the works undertaken went far beyond the approved scope and commented:

“The loss of traditional windows from historic buildings poses one of the biggest threats to our shared built heritage. Traditional windows and their glazing, particularly to historic churches, make an important contribution to an asset’s significance.

The pre-existing windows comprised metal frames containing leaded light windows and stained glass including original grisaille glass. They were of special architectural and artistic interest and made a considerable contribution to the significance of the designated heritage asset. They were an integral part of the design of the church and were important works of art in their own right; crafted with great skill and ingenuity with materials of a high quality.”

The Planning Committee voted in favour of the recommendation to negotiate with the developer and the heritage advisor, Place Services, for the remediation of the historic character of the former church building via a Listed Building Application.

An additional motion was passed that The Victorian Society and Historic England would be consulted on any future Listed Building Application.

Cllr Andrea Berardi, while not a member of the Planning Committee, spoke at the meeting to articulate the importance of built heritage:

“The evidence set out in advisory reports and council documents shows a pattern of unauthorised, damaging works to this Grade II listed building - actions that undermine the collective memory, character, and distinct sense of place that our historic churches bring to Runnymede. These landmarks are not merely old buildings; they provide continuity and meaning for past, present, and future generations.”

He also stated “The developer’s conduct in this conversion is indefensible. It is not the role of the council to hand hold the developer in their conservation efforts, it is the role of the developer to do their job and pay for appropriate historical consultants to tell them how to do things properly and this developer failed in this case. There are many church conversions that are very sympathetic and have support from The Victorian Society and Historic England”. 

Theresa Burton, founder of Friends of Christ Church Longcross, comments:

“The long list of heritage harms to this historic building of special interest and significance is dismaying and shocking, and the Stained Glass windows were not just beautiful works of art, but an important part of our local history and identity - their vandalistic treatment was an appalling lack of duty of care by the developer. Tonight has been a significant step forward in reversing those harms.” 

The Friends of Christ Church Longcross wish to express their deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to this success: to the over 2,000 supporters who signed our petition, to those who helped fund the campaign, to the heritage experts who shared their knowledge and expertise, to our counsel, Alex Goodman KC of Landmark Chambers, Jamie Beagent and Ellie Fawcett of Leigh Day, and for the support from Councillor Andrea Berardi.

Theresa Burton, Founder

Friends of Christ Church Longcross