DORSET COUNCIL PLANNING
The application to Dorset Council for planning Permission to alter St Osmund’s external face has now been submitted (see the drawings below). Please note that the other work, including changes to the church’s internal arrangements and those associated with Historic Building approval, will be dealt with by Salisbury Diocesan Advisory Committee An application to them (a Faculty) will follow on once Dorset Council have granted planning approval for the external changes.
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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 focuument 2 s 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.
The plans to improve the drainage of surface water from the roof and around the church, to address problems of damp within the church, have recently been submitted to the Diocese Advisory Committee in Salisbury. We hope that a decision on these drainage plans will be available early in 2026.
The PCC briefed the open section of the Melbury Osmond Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday 11th November in the Village Hall. The briefing covered all elements of the work that is being proposed and highlighted the ways in which the PCC are trying to keep the village informed of these proposed developments by open meetings, posters and plans on permanent display in the church, Chimes articles and the village website. There was an opportunity to answer questions from villagers who attended the meeting.
Melbury Osmond PCC