U-turn over Shropshire building repair bill for locals

Parishioners in Stottesdon were unhappy about possible liability for repairs to St Mary's Church in the village – because of a law dating from the reign of Henry VIII.

Residents and farmers had threatened to boycott the church over the chancel repair liability repairs after 25 landowners were told they could be responsible for a percentage of the costs of any repairs to the building's chancel, the sacred part of the church that contained the altar. Now the vicar and the parochial church council has agreed to withdraw the plans and said they now hoped to move forward with the community.

The decision was made at a meeting in the village, near Bridgnorth, on Wednesday night.

Colin Resch, the vicar of St Mary's Church, said: "Concerns began to rise as soon as letters from The Land Registry started to arrive on doormats.

"The angst in our community has only continued to grow.

"The prospect of division in the community has led the PCC in Stottesdon to carefully review and consider all material facts.

"We have now decided to withdraw the registrations from the Land Registry."

Mr Resch said there were 25 landowners in Stottesdon, covering a total of 87 plots of land and one family home, which would have been liable for 62.84 per cent of any future chancel repairs.

He said legislation passed by parliament required all churches with Chancel Repair Liabilities to register them by October 2013 or risk losing their rights altogether.

More than 60 churches were affected in the Diocese of Hereford along with hundreds more across the country.

"The consequences of Chancel Repair Liability in our parish have made it very difficult for us to carry out our prime objective of sharing God's love within our community," said Mr Resch.

"The Christian faith has much to say about healing and reconciliation, and this decision will help us to live out the message that we preach."