BCP Council gives go ahead for All Saints Church in Mudeford to be rebuilt

PLANNERS have given the go-ahead for the rebuild of a fire-ravaged church in Christchurch.

BCP Council members approved proposals to rebuild All Saints Church in Mudeford Road after it was gutted by a blaze in 2022.

A new western end to the church will be constructed, with a joint entrance lobby plus extensions to the first floor of the rear hall. There will also be landscaping works and changes to the building’s parking layout.

Steps will be removed from the entrance to make the building more accessible for people with mobility issues.

Christchurch Town Council had previously complained to BCP Council the new design for the church was “out of keeping”, despite architects designing the building to look as it did when it was built in 1869.

As reported by the A&T, the head of the church’s steering group, Sally Clifford, said plans for the restoration had been drawn up after it “tried to listen to all members of the community and take into consideration the many changes to the mandatory requirements for building regulations to produce a design that encompasses inclusivity, diversity, consultation and respect”.

In a design and access statement, the church council told BCP Council: “Improving the entrance to the church and hall for disabled users must be addressed…creating a welcoming entrance for all.

“The church wants to continue its role as a community facility as well as for worship, therefore the church and hall space must be as flexible as possible to cater for changing requirements and a diversity of events.”