Constable blocks controversial church toilet development

Monday 15 January 2018

Ongoing works to build a controversial new toilet near the entrance of an 800-year-old parish church have been halted in a shock move by the St Lawrence constable.

Ongoing works to build a controversial new toilet near the entrance of an 800-year-old parish church have been halted in a shock move by the St Lawrence constable.

They claim that the extension is unsightly and will damage the historic integrity of the church.

In a long-running battle, the anti-development group launched a counter planning application and even called upon an ancient law to force an ecclesiastical assembly in a bid to put an end to the holy row.

Now Constable Deirdre Mazbourian has stepped in. On Saturday, she issued instructions to immediately suspend all work on the extension.

Pictured: St Lawrence Church, as seen from the street. (Google Maps)

She announced the move in a joint statement with the Rector, Reverend Phil Warren. Despite previous opposition, is said to fully support the suspension. 

He announced the decision to his congregation at 09:30 yesterday during a morning service. 

A Parish Assembly will now be convened before the end of February. A date is still yet to be set. 

The original toilet proposal went to a parish assembly in July 2015 and was determined by a show of hands involving 34 people. The plans were initially rejected by the Planning Committee, but later approved on appeal.

£80,000 of parish funds have so far been spent on the project.

The Constable and Rector said that they would offer no further comments on the matter.