RE ST MARY, BEDDINGTON (Southwark Consistory Court; Garth Moore Ch., 1987)

In order to meet the pastoral needs of the congregation, particularly the provision of teaching for children during part of the main Eucharist on Sunday, proposals were made to insert a floor in the north aisle of the parish church so as to create an attic. Without this accommodation use had to be made of an unsuitable hut. It was uncertain for how long the intended room would meet the needs of the parish, or how effective sound-proofing would be. The church was mediaeval in its main structure, but the North aisle had been designed by the architect Clarke and was itself of great architectural importance. Although the Diocesan Advirsory Committee supported the proposals, a contrary view was expressed by the Council for the Care of Churches, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and the Victorian Society. There was a sharp conflict between pastoral requirements and conservationist needs; but the importance of the church, and in particular the North aisle, was such that no major interference with it should be tolerated. The petition was accordingly dismissed.

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(1988) 1:2 Ecc LJ 36