UPDATE ON 07/12/09

 

The current position is outlined in the December 2009 Newsletter. This is the introductory first page of it.

 

We have received approvals both from the planning authority and from the Diocese for our current plans for a 2 storey extension to our building. However, some recent external conversations have caused us to question whether these plans are the right ones for us in this time of recession.

 

During talks with a number of professional fund raisers and also the Oxford Diocese fund raising specialist, we have learnt that our assumptions of the amount of money we could expect to raise from external grant bodies, in the current economic climate, and given the fact that fund-raising for churches is extremely difficult at the best of times, are extremely optimistic.  From a need to raise about £1.2 million, we had assumed that we would be able reasonably to seek £500 -£600,000 from these bodies.  We now believe that we may only be able to raise a much lower figure from them, more in line with our expectation when we were considering the original single storey extension concept.

 

The result of this is that we would have been looking for our church family and local community to raise over £600,000, rather than the originally expected £300,000. Despite the very generous nature of people connected with the church, we believe that this would be an extremely ambitious target.

 

In this situation we believe that God is asking us to take stock of our plans, before proceeding further.

• We were also challenged by someone with fund raising experience from the local council, as to whether it was the right thing to try to meet all our needs on our restricted site.  Would it be better, for example, to only develop a more modest building on our site and to meet more of our needs on external sites?  This approach also fits well with our strategy to move further out into the community and to use our church building as a resource and a hub.
• It would be easier to raise funds from external grant bodies for a building that explicitly serves the community, but is not a church. Do we therefore look to develop a community building away from the church site, as well as improvements to the church site?
• Would we as a church actually want to spend £1.2 million on this building? Would we be better spending less on the building and more on our mission based activities?  
• The building currently occupied by the window company could represent a key part of our plans.  Should this building suddenly become available, we might want to consider acquiring it. This is perhaps a good a case for not spending £1.2 million on one part of the OCP when another is possibly waiting in the wings.
• Is there a lower cost solution which would satisfy our most critical needs and leave the way open for future expansion outside of our existing site? The architect has reviewed the plans and produced an alternative proposal which whilst costing significantly less, is less complex, but never the less still achieves many of the original objectives. 
• Do we do nothing at this time, leaving the building as it currently is?

Whilst it is undoubtedly frustrating that we are in this position at this time, it is good that we face these issues and prayerfully consider them before the Lord, and seek a resolution to them, now, rather than when we are contractually committed to the current proposals.

 

The full newsletter, explaining revised proposals for a reduced scheme can be seen here.

The architects drawing for the Ground floor can be seen here.

The architects drawing for the First floor can be seen here.

Some cross section drawings can be seen here.

 

 

 

 

UPDATE ON 26/06/09

 

PROJECT NEWSLETTER NUMBER 6

 

Newsletter number 6, outlining recent events and activities in relation to this project has now been published and may be seen here.

 

Key events outlined include:

• Diocesan certificate granted and Faculty applied for.
• External fundraising co-ordinator appointed.
• Further thoughts on the options for a partner project outlined.
• 'Design and Build' contract sought for construction work.
• External Construction Project Manager appointed.

 

 

 

UPDATE ON 01/04/09

 

  PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED!

Our prayers have been answered, and planning permission for the proposed developments has now been granted, with only minor caveats relating to the provision of more detailed drawings for the new cloister and west end porch remodelling, along with amendments to the parking arrangements within the landscaping proposal.

Through our prayers we now seek God’s help, as we move forward into arguably the more challenging phases of this project.

 

 

Update on 04/03/2009

 

In February 2009, after months of consultations, both within the church, and with the various bodies that have a right to be consulted, we finally submitted a planning application for the proposed extensions. 

 

The plans for an exciting 2 storey extension that form this application can be seen in the following PDF files.

 

Ground Floor Plan    First Floor Plan  South Elevation

 

North Elevation  West Elevation  East Elevation

 

Roof Plan  Landscaping Plan

 

The following images are taken from the Architect's computer model of the building.  These enable the proposals to be visualised with more clarity.  They also illustrate clearly the exciting nature of the proposals and the associated WOW ! factor.

 

 

These front views clearly show how the new extensions wrap round the church in a sympathetic manner, the new cloister, and the way in which both the building design and extensive use of glass allow natural light to the chancel windows.

 

 

 

It can be seen how the west end porch is retained in a largely unaltered form, except for the present doors being replaced with windows moved from where new doors are created from the cloister into the nave.  Also just visible are the new 'ceremonial' doors in the west end of the porch.  These are intended to provide a dramatic processional route for weddings and funerals.

 

 

Below we see a view from the new office reception across the new foyer towards the tower and church, with the new entrance and cloister visible through the windows.  It shows a large exciting space overlooked by the upstairs corridor balcony. 

 

 

 

The following image shows the upper corridor behind the chancel, looking towards the foyer balcony.  The extensive use of glass to provide natural light to this corridor, and through this the lower corridor, can be clearly seen. 

 

 

 

 

Similarly looking from the foyer end of this corridor we can see how the glass roof and wall provide natrual light to the chancel windows. Doors into meeting rooms are on the right.  Although not clear from this model, many internal doors and some walls will be glass, both to aid natural light provision and address good child protection practice.

 

 

 

Seen below is the 2nd floor north side where there is a lounge area next to both normal and disabled loos, and stairs to the ground floor.  Just to the right of this lounge area is a small kitchenette to service this floor.   The funniture is not indicative of that which we intend to provide in this area!

 

 

 

On the north side of the church the extension does not have windows overlooking the neighbours,

 

 

but there is extensive use of opaque skylights within the sloping roof, to provide natural light to both the ground and first floor.

 

 

While some aspects of the internal detail may change, we believe that in the above, we have a building that will help us further develop all aspects of our ministry.

 

 

 

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The November 2008 newsletter relating to the building project is here.  As well as reporting on the position in early November 2008, this elaborates on points which have arisen as part of the consultation process since early October.

 

   

Presentations on the revised concept design for the building produced by the architect, were given in 2 sessions on 04/10/08.

 

A presentation showing the history of the project can be seen here.

  

The full September 2008 concept plan can be seen in the September 2008 newsletter, which is here. 

 

 

In the late 1990s, the decision was made to reorder the church, with a view to making it more suitable for modern worship styles and to increase the building’s suitability for other activities, now seen as part of the role of the church in the community.

Because of the size and complexity of the task, the project was to be split into two parts.

Phase 1: Internal reordering of the church.

Phase 2: Extension and remodelling of the church building.

It was also considered that:

• St. Peter's church building is not very attractive or welcoming
• It could not fulfil its potential for community use
• Current facilities were not safe and secure and were difficult and expensive to maintain
• The space was not very flexible and could not easily be adjusted for different purposes
• There was not enough space for a growing congregation 

The dream was of a Church that would be:

• open and accessible to everyone
• attractive and welcoming
• a vibrant centre for all to share
• in touch with the needs of people of Furze Platt
• equipping people for the complexities and challenges of life in the 21st century
• caring for one another and offering support and understanding
• where young and old find healing and wholeness
• for seven days a week - where God is for Monday as well as for Sunday
• where all are encouraged to give of themselves
• marked by a true sense of God's presence
• practising God's command to love one another in openness and forgiveness

Former Vicar, Rev. Lee Rayfield, launching the project in 2001 said, "Our vision for redeveloping St. Peter's is to help realise this dream. It has taken shape over 5 years after many hours of discussion, analysis, consultation and, most importantly prayer.  Now it is time to turn the vision into reality  We have a clear sense of the challenge that lies ahead.  Yet we also have a deep confidence that God has planted this vision and His Spirit will lead us through.  We feel the quiet excitement of faith.

Building St. Peter's for the future is not going to be easy but true faith in Jesus Christ involves taking risks. Through it we shall grow in our discipleship and our appreciation of the God who loves us. 

Will you share this adventure with us?"
 

Phase 1: Church Internal Reordering

The first phase of Building for the Future, involving renovating the interior of St. Peter's has now been completed, with the practical, financial and prayer help of many people.  This forms the St Peter's church that you see today and involved:

• Removing the pews and replacing them with 'comfortable' stackable chairs

• Removing the rood screen and choir stalls to open up the chancel area

• Removing the failing organ and replacing it with a new digital organ

• Installing a permanent platform for the Worship and music group.

• Repainting and lightening the interior and renovating the flooring

• Improving the lighting, audio-visual and heating systems

• Installing a glass screen between the chancel and tower to create a new room.

• Installing new storage cupboards in the Jubilee room

• Fitting out a new vestry

  Music group on new platform

                                                       Altar and sanctuary

 Redecorated interior

Phase 2: Church Extension

The second phase of Building for the Future concerns extensions to the building. At the time that the Building for the Future Phase 1 project, outlined above, was planned, some outline ideas and plans relating to Church extensions and adaptation were also produced. In 2005 the PCC of St Peter’s commissioned JBKS architects, a firm very experienced with church related work,  to advise on the feasibility of extending and altering the facilities of the church and church rooms; the need for change having arisen out of the impact the site and buildings have on the ongoing work, worship, ministry, and mission of the church.

Subsequently, the architects produced concept proposals to provide for the following practical needs: