Second Stakeholder Consultation & Developed Design
We would like to start by expressing real thankfulness that we have continued the Impact project in spite of lockdown and that our Design team, which includes LDN Architects, the Engineers and the Cost Consultants, have all continued working throughout.
God has been very generous to us and offered the team and the board stability in a period of great challenge and uncertainty.
The Impact project is focused on the repair and reordering of St Michael le Belfrey so the building can be more effectively used to support the church’s ministry and community programme and contribute to the Belfrey’s vision to serve God’s transformation of the North. (Please see end notes and earlier blogs for more information).
The designs have now been modified further to take into account some of the concerns voiced by advising societies such as Historic England and are being worked up LDN so we can share them again with the Diocese.
· The 18th century staircases (considered unique) at the back of the church will be retained as an exhibit, with further opening up during the reordering so they can be viewed better. We then have the opportunity to install new staircases which will be easier to use, safer and can cope with the anticipated increase in users and visitors.
· LDN has worked out a way to incorporate the children’s pews, which are located at the back on either side of the current gallery, into the new gallery next to the meeting rooms so that they can be viewed and used, particularly by children!
· One row of collegiate pews will be retained either side of the church with the medieval pews placed in the front of those pews either side. This recognises their significance, provides symmetry on either side of the church and with the wall memorials that are all currently placed above the line of the pews and still ensures a significant flexible space in the nave (main body) of the church.
The Statements of Need and Significance, which accompany the designs and are required by the Diocese, are going through significant updates; firstly to demonstrate our understanding of the impact we are having on particular features in the church building and secondly to explain more fully the increased use of the building post reordering.
A feasibility study has also been conducted on 12 Minster Yard to look at how this building can be integrated with the church to meet all the requirements identified. 12 Minster Yard has gone through a similar design process to create a full concept design and costing
We hope to share these revised plans with the Diocese in August before submitting a comprehensive Faculty application later in the year.
At a similar time we can submit a pre application to City of York Council to show our intentions with the building and in particular the external modifications that affect the immediate environment which they need to approve (this will include our use of scaffolding and erection of hoardings during the construction stage). York Minster Fabric Advisory Committee has shown in principle support for creating additional openings in the West end of the church, as long as they fit with the existing architecture, as they also complement the Minster’s West end.
We have developed a detailed cost estimate accompanying the current design, working with LDN, our cost consultants Morham & Brotchie and learning from other churches who have undertaken similar projects. We continually assess affordability and the implications of design decisions, ensuring that we work within our means and proposals present value for money. We continue to expect the incredibly generous financial gifts received to date to cover the vast majority of costs associated with the project and the detail of any remaining fundraising needed will be shared following our next round of discussions with stakeholders.
We are now venturing into Stage 3 – Developed Design and in particular looking at packages of Repairs required starting with Reroofing & Insulation and External Masonry. Surveys and investigative work will be required to understand the full extent of the repairs. Stone analysis, for example, will advise us on what materials to use to provide the best repair and ensure it weathers at the same rate as the existing stone.
On Thursday 23 July, starting at 7pm, we will host a live presentation (webinar) so we can provide a more detailed update on the project and you have the opportunity to post questions. The presentation will be recorded so if you cannot join us, you can watch it later. On Sunday 26 July we will have an Impact break out room during coffee where you can talk to Board members about how the project is going and ask further questions.
The next phase of consultation we are looking forward to holding with the Church later in the year, will be around the Reordering which comes into Stage 3 – Developed Design.
Finally, we would appreciate your ongoing prayers for the project and in particular;
1. good conversations with our stakeholders and particularly the Diocese;
2. that our revised presentation provides the clarity required that we can allay some concerns and discuss others;
3. and all of this is appreciated in the context of our vision as a church to see people come to Christ in the City and in the North.
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19 v21
Notes on Project: St Michael le Belfrey has been considering the repair and reordering of the church for some time but it has been in the last couple of years that the project, called Impact, has gained momentum and helped significantly by some very generous gifts. Impact has a project board, made up of representatives from the congregations and staff team, which is answerable to the PCC and the Church family. In 2018 the congregations helped create a ‘Client Requirements’ document which highlighted priorities around an inviting welcome space, flexible use of internal space while maintaining capacity, creating a full immersion baptistery, improving accessibility, increasing toilet capacity and providing high quality technology which sits within a c16 interior. An extensive structural repairs programme, identified by the Church’s Inspecting Architect, sits alongside these requirements. In 2019 a Project Manager was recruited and a design competition launched with RIBA (The Royal Institute of British Architects) to select an Architect who could work with the Belfrey on the project. LDN Architects, an Edinburgh based firm, were the winning Architects and has developed the project through Stage 2 – Concept Design.