The vicar of Bassingbourn’s parish church has said they will be moving forward with fundraising for a reordering project, now the judgement to grant major building works to the building has been passed.

Judge Anthony Leonard QC, chancellor of the Diocese of Ely, held a Consistory Court Hearing in the Church of St Peter & St Paul to consider the Parochial Church Council’s plans for the church building.

The Parochial Church Council wished to expand the use of the 13th-century Grade I-listed church by providing kitchen and toilet facilities, meeting rooms, a gallery, new seating and new heating, all to “provide a more useful community resource.”

There were 10 formal opponents to the proposed works – costing £800,000 – and the case was heard over the course of a two-day hearing in the summer.

The opposition said that reordering was excessive or harmful for a small village church, and that heritiage would be lost.

Rev Dr Caroline Yandell has said: “We are delighted that the chancellor’s judgment recognises that there was a ‘clear and convincing justification for carrying out the proposals’ and that he has given permission for all the major elements of the proposed scheme, including removal of nave pews and plinths, leveling the floor throughout, new lighting and underfloor heating, a kitchen, three WCs, vestry, two staircases and lift and more.

“We are an outward-looking fellowship – the reordering is not primarily to make life more comfortable for the existing congregation, even though the needs of worship are pressing.

“The plans will enable us to do so much more to serve our local community, and to do it better.

“The judgement recognises that the scheme will ensure that our beautiful parish church is a fitting resource for worship and mission in the 21st century and will be of lasting benefit to the whole community, helping to secure the future of the church for the village.

“Now that the judgment has been made we can move forward with fundraising for this exciting project.”

If you would like to support the project financially, or would simply like to find out more, visit www.bassingbournchurch.org.uk.