§ Mr. Beithasked the hon. Member for Kingswood, as Second Church Estates Commissioner representing the Church Commissioners, why the Commissioners have put forward proposals involving the demolition of a Grade I listed building, namely, All Saints Church, Annesley, Nottinghamshire.
§ Mr. Terry WalkerThe remains of the old church of All Saints, Annesley, were declared redundant under the terms of the Pastoral Measure 1968 on 3rd February 1975. The future of a building declared redundant has to be settled within three years of the declaration of redundancy by a redundancy scheme which may provide for one of three courses:
- (i) Appropriation to another use and subsequent disposal by sale, lease or gift.
- (ii) Preservation by the Redundant Churches Fund.
- (iii) Demolition.
The ruins are adjacent to Annesley Hall, and the most satisfactory solution for their future would be as a "feature" or monument in connection with the hall and estate, but the present owners of the hall are disposing of their property and negotiations with them over a period of 18 months have come to nothing.
In accordance with the statutory procedure, the Commissioners consulted the Advisory Board for Redundant Churches as to the future of the ruins and the board advised that in their present poor condition they were not worthy of preservation by the Redundant Church Fund. The board indicated that, subject to the removal elsewhere of certain important features, it would raise no objection to 94W demolition. As it was understood that the Department of the Environment contemplated scheduling the ruins under the Ancient Monuments Acts, it also was consulted. It decided not to proceed with scheduling, but asked that, in the event of demolition, it might have an opportunity for archaeological investigation. It is some time since the ruins were listed under the Town and Country Planning Acts and graded 1, and it seems unlikely that they would merit such high grading if they were currently inspected.
In the circumstances, and in view of the dangerous condition of the ruins and the consequent inadvisability of deferring a decision, the Commissioners decided that they had no other choice than to issue a draft redundancy scheme providing for demolition. The procedure allows a period of not less than 28 days during which anyone may make representations with respect to the draft scheme and this period expires on 24th January. Some representations against the scheme for demolition have already been received and will be considered by the Commissioners in due course. In doing so they will take into account any change of circumstances and will consult the Bishop of Southwell.