St Osmund Church Update November 2025 The PCC continues to work towards reordering St Osmund’s Church to provide long term maintenance, updating facilities and preserving the essence of our village church for future generations. Our plans include improving drainage of surface water, installing modern lighting and heating, provision of a WC, safe access to the ringing chamber, a modern vestry, improved storage and redecoration of the church. There are several steps required to obtain approval from both the local council and the church authorities to allow these plans to develop. The PCC’s focus over the summer has been to obtain the information that is required for a Planning Application to Dorset Council. This is required because part of the planned work will affect the church’s external appearance. The application is being made through the National Planning Application Portal. If planning permission is granted, the next step is seeking approval from the Salisbury Diocesan Advisory Committee. This stage considers all aspects of reordering of the church, including listed building approval. As St Osmund’s is a Grade 1 listed building, the PCC has sought the advice of Historic England and their experts visited in August to make their assessment. Their report has now been received, and they are “broadly content with our proposals and would not object to the proposed toilet within the existing vestry, and a small extension”. However, they have asked that we further appraise several aspects to help refine the plans. To help with the approvals process, the PCC will be briefing Melbury Osmond’s Parish Council at their next meeting, which is scheduled for 19:30 on Tuesday 11th November in the Village Hall. The briefing will cover all elements of the work that is being proposed.
MOPCC