Faculties and Who should I consult?

You should consult anyone who has an interest and that will depend upon what you are hoping to do.

• The Secretary of the Diocesan Advisory Committee. The DAC is a group of experts who have knowledge and experience of the care of historic buildings, churches and their contents. You should consult the secretary, Mrs Sue Thorold at the earliest opportunity. She can give you advice and recommend specialists and contractors. You can contact her at Diocesan House, Kenwyn, Truro TR1 1JQ 01872 274351
• Your church architect or surveyor and recommended specialists and contractors
• The Parochial Church Council and the congregation. The views of the congregation may not be the same as those of the PCC.
• The wider parish, especially if the proposal is likely to be controversial, including those who do not attend church.
• The local planning authority, only if the proposal is likely to be controversial. You do not need to apply for listed building consent as your church or chapel is an ecclesiastical building in use and so has the benefit of the ecclesiastical exemption.
• English Nature especially if your church has bats or a history of roosting bats. The address is Roughmoor, Bishop's Hull, Taunton, Somerset TA1 5AA 01823 283 211
• English Heritage if the proposals are controversial. They can be contacted at 39 Queen Square, Bristol BS1 4ND 0117 975 0700 southwest@english-heritage.org.uk
• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, if the proposal may affect graves or burials, monuments or memorials commemorating a death between 1914 and 1947. The address is 2 Marlow Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 7DX 01628 634 221.
• Your insurance company must be informed of any electrical work or work which might affect the organ or the security of the building against fire, vandalism, theft or other risks since the work may affect your insurance policy. If work is to be done using voluntary labour, the PCC must have insurance cover against the risk of injury.
• The Cornwall Archaeological Unit where work is proposed to walls or structures or where there is excavation below the floor of the church or the churchyard in the case of an ancient church.
• The descendants of the person commemorated if your proposal affects any grave, monument or inscription in the church.

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