Open churches plan opposed

1:13pm Friday 21st March 2008

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A VISION to open up churches in the Heytesbury deanery for a social scheme piloted by the Salisbury Diocese has been met with opposition.

Earlier this month the Diocese, in conjunction with English Heritage, announced an initiative to help parishes "rediscover their church buildings" to make them more accessible to the public as a space for community activities.

The plan, which has been approved for churches in the Heytesbury and Sherbourne deaneries, is also designed to assess the historical and architectural value of each church and preserve their life in the community.

The chairman of the Heytesbury Village Hall Committee, Anthony Wilson, doesn't think the proposal will work in the village.

He said: "The neighbours put up with the traffic problems caused by large church events such as daytime funerals and weddings but would complain about regular evening use.

"18th century churches which are basically boxes can be converted but this would pose insuperable problems. Such a scheme would need enormous sums of money."