Building Plans
Redecorating the inside
In 2009, whilst the scaffolding was inside the church as part of the work of replacing the roof, the opportunity was taken to experiment with a new colour scheme. The old is the top picture and the new is below it. We have not decided on the final colour scheme (the building will need repainting after the refurbishment). What do you think about the change? Let us know by emailing us.
What next?
As soon as re-roofing was completed we began plans for a total renewal of the interior of the church. These plans flow from Prospects for the Future and are based on the belief that "the key to the church's vision is its unique position as the only church in the centre of the Dawlish shopping street. This demands a building which is open, attractive and welcoming with modern facilities for a variety of congregational, community and commercial uses." Among proposals are for a chapel open 8 am - 8 pm to underline the church's focus on prayer; and providing meeting space in a town which offers few options for large or small meetings.
In September 2008 the Church Meeting approved the general layout for the refurbished building. But the church is a listed building, and the process of getting permission to alter it is long and tedious. An outline plan was rejected in January 2009. It was November 2009 before a formal application was submitted to the Synod and its Listed Buildings Advisory Committee (LABC) which has delegated power to recommend whether to grant planning approval for interior alterations to a Grade 2 listed church. This was rejected for four reasons: (1) the extension to the gallery would ruin the spatial balance of the church; (2) creation of a glass wall in the front of the gallery would not work; (3) the case for the need to change had not been made; and (4) there was not sufficient evidence of the financial viability of the proposal.
The final effort
In the first half of 2010, extensive work was done in preparation to submit amended plans to meet the objections.
Our grant advisor, Ian Parkin of Parkin Heritage and Tourism, worked on the business case which showed where it is hoped the grants will be received; he demonstrated that the income & expenditure projections showed that the proposed alterations are financially sustainable.
Our architect, Paul Heighway of Heighway Associates produced plans showing the flexibility of the building and a Statement of Access and Design indicating how the proposals for the gallery are sympathetic to the existing building.
Our conservation architect, David McLaughlin of McLaughlin Ross llp undertook comprehensive research on John Tarring, the architect of the church, showing that our church was not one of his best works. David McLaughlin also produced many examples of churches in different parts of England which had created successful glass walls in the front of levelled galleries as part of their refurbishment.
Dale Gough, an expert in creating artist's impressions from architect's plans, produced stunning illustrations of what the refurbished building would look like with and without people using it.
The final amended application, running to 500 pages (nearly 10cm thick)was considered over the summer by the Listed Buildings Advisory Committee and the Synod Property Committee and approval was given in September 2010.
To see all the drawings, click here
The Plans
Realising that it would take some time to raise the necessary £1m for the total development the Church Meeting decided on a two Phase approach.
Stage 1
This stage is the removal of the pulpit, replacing the pews with chairs and the dais with a moveable platform. The pulpit will be stored until it is remade into an altar for the Chapel in Stage 2 (see below). This will provide the church with a large-multi-purpose space to develop its community work.
On Sundays the congregation will sit in the apse. providing a more intimate and flexible area for worship. There will be an electrically driven screen which can be easily lowered to encourage the use of PowerPoint presentations in worship. The Communion Table will be permanently placed at the far end of the apse.
Because some of the heating pipes run under the pews, some additional heating will be installed to keep the nave warm. The floor, which will continue to have its gentle rake, will be covered in carpet as a temporary covering. When Phase 2 is undertaken, it is likely to be replaced with a wooden floor.
Phase 2
In summary the plans as adopted by Church Meeting are:
to lower the floor throughout; this is the only practical way of getting reasonable disabled access. The three windows facing The Strand will be lowered to allow people to see in and out; the present glass will be replaced by clear glass suitably etched.
to enhance the existing entrance with a glass front door and a wider interior door leading into the foyer.
to transform the other (east) entrance into a Chapel open daily from 8 am to 8 pm. It will be accessed directly from The Strand and from the foyer. Its central feature will be the existing Bath stone pulpit turned into an altar (the space is too small for the traditional Free Church Communion Table).
when lowering the floor to install under floor heating.
to remove the organ to provide office space.
to level and extend the gallery, retaining the original frontage. This will provide on the upper level one large (divisible) conference room and an additional room with computer suite. There will also be toilets and a kitchenette. It will be accessed by a new staircase and lift.
to provide beneath the extended gallery on the ground floor a catering kitchen and toilets, as well as access to the gallery.
You can look at the plans in detail if you click here.
Our vision for what the building can do has been set out in a booklet Our Plans for the Future which has been widely welcomed.
Making it possible
Members and friends have responded magnificently to the challenge to do something for the Refurbishment Fund, and activities include special meals, special sales and several sponsorships as well as generous donations. For one effort see members; for other details see appeal.
