Supporting Information
This page explains the basic level of supporting detail required for all faculty applications
You must support your faculty application with an appropriate level of detail so that the precise nature of the works and their impact are clear to the DAC, Diocesan Chancellor, statutory consultees and the wider public. All of the following are required (and your application is likely to be delayed if you omit any of them):
- A clear Statment of Need. For larger schemes (such as extensions or major re-orderings, and any significant work to a church listed Grade I or Grade II*) you should use the detailed guidance from the Church Buildings Council, otherwise the simpler guidance will normally be sufficient. Both versions should set out the character of the parish from the points of view of both the worshipping congregation and the wider community, followed by an explanation of how the proposed works are desirable to meet their needs Evidence of needs should be as specific as possible, e.g. details of patterns of worship and liturgical practice, and numbers attending services.
- A clear Statement of Significance. This sets out the nature of the fabric or furnishings affected by the works and is particularly important for work in buildings listed at Grade I or II*. For larger schemes you should use the detailed guidance from the Church Buildings Council, otherwise the simpler guidance will normally be sufficient.
- A full works specification from your architect or contractor. For large schemes (such as extensions, major re-orderings, toilet facilities, lighting schemes, repairs to very historic fabric, repointing of stonework, spire repairs, entirely new heating systems) this will include a set of drawings along with necessary clauses about insurance, supervision and compliance with regulations like the CDM Regulations. For smaller schemes (such as handrails, disabled access ramps, minor re-orderings) you will normally still need an architect's drawings, particularly if your church is listed at Grade I or II*. For very minor schemes (such as like-for-like replacement of a church boiler or radiators) you will always need at least a contractor's quotation supported by a sketch or photographs. Whatever the work, your application will have to provide full and clear details of exactly what you are proposing, and how any church fabric will be affected (e.g. cable runs, fixings).
- In all cases, your submission should set out all details of how the proposal will look (e.g. catalogue photographs of loudspeaker/projector/projector housing with clear indications of any proposed colour or finish options) and how it will be physically fixed in place (e.g. the nature and location of the fixings for a new handrail, projector screen or loudspeaker).
- If you are undertaking major structural work such as rebuilding a spire you will normally need a report from a suitable structural engineer to supplement your architect's specification.
- For repairs (e.g. stonework, tiled floors) you will need to provide photographs of the existing condition of the item(s) to be repaired.
- For items of special historic or artistic significance (e.g. historic murals) you will need to include a suitable Conservation Report.
- Comments on the proposal from statutory consultees such as English Heritage, the amenity societies and the local planning authority as appropriate. Details of who you will need to consult are set out on the page covering Consultation. It's rare for a faculty application not to involve some degree of consultation if the church building is listed - and you will certainly need to consult the local planning authority for any external change to a listed building.
- A plan of the church and/or churchyard as appropriate, showing the location and extent of the area affected by the work.
- Photographs of the area(s) affected by the proposed works - both close-ups and longer contextual shots so that the impact of the proposals is absolutely clear. A comprehensive set of photographs is normally essential in allowing the DAC and Chancellor to understand the nature and context of a specific proposal.
- A copy of the PCC Minute(s) relating to the proposals with a note indicating the total membership of the Council, the number present at the meeting(s) at which the proposal was discussed and the voting figures - this is an essential part of the process as it proves majority PCC support for the proposals