Plans approved for Mudeford All Saints church rebuild

The formal plans for the rebuild of Mudeford All Saints have been approved by BCP Council.

As reported, the historic church became engulfed in flames on the evening of July 14, 2022, following an electrical issue in the building.

The blaze caused huge damage to the roof and interior, and has put the church out of use ever since.

A rebuild project, tabled by The PCC of All Saints Church, consists of a major program of restoration to the church remains and extensions.

A new west end porch entrance with ramps and a lift is proposed, as well as an extension to the rear to provide additional space for activities for worshippers and the wider community.

Damage caused to the church (Image: Clews Architects)

A total of 38 representations were submitted in support of the scheme, along with 16 objections.

Objectors were concerned the rebuild was not a ‘like for like’ of the previous church, it would increase noise and cause a loss of light for neighbours, and the extension would have a ‘very negative impact’ on the outlook for properties in Mude Gardens.

Those supporting the plans noted the church had been a ‘major contributor to the life of the community of Mudeford for many years’, and said the rebuild would improve the facilities inside the building. 

A BCP planning officer recommending the scheme for approval said it would ‘preserve the surviving elements of the grade II listed church’.

Damage caused to the church (Image: Clews Architects)

They wrote in their report: “With regards to the impacts on neighbouring occupants, it is considered that whilst the proposals are not considered to result in a material loss of light or result in shadowing, or increase in noise disturbance which would be harmful to residential amenities, it is considered that there would be a modest level of harm with regards to the outlook in particularly from numbers 12 and 14 Mude Gardens.

“However, taking into consideration the constrained nature of the site and the importance of the church as a community facility, in addition to the proposed improvements in relation to accessibility into and within the building as a result of the proposals, it is considered that the benefits of the scheme bringing the site back into viable use outweigh the harm.”