Planning approval granted to save St Nicholas'
Planning approval has been granted by King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council to proceed with the project to save St Nicholas’ Chapel in King’s Lynn.
The chapel - the largest chapel of ease in the country - is a nationally significant Grade I listed medieval building. The proposals are part of a project to encourage new and existing audiences to the site by adapting it to allow for a wider range of cultural events and activities to be held there. The project will see volunteer group the Friends of St Nicholas’ Chapel partnering with the Churches Conservation Trust to make the chapel a volunteer-led building which will be a great community resource for King’s Lynn.
The planning permissions include consent for the installation of a Photo Voltaic array comprising 92 solar cells on the south nave roof, representing the Trust’s first green technology installation. The array will provide heat and lighting to the church, and will also help to increase community awareness of the importance of carbon reduction.
Alongside this, the permissions provide for:
- The addition of new kitchen and toilet facilities
- The installation of a new heating system and new low energy lighting
- The reinstatement of the Victorian gates in the south porch
- Modifications to the Victorian pews to allow more diverse use for the chapel
- Improvements to the churchyard including new and restored pathways
- Formation of new stairs to the base of tower
This is in addition to urgent and essential work required both inside and outside the chapel that will cost £1.8 million to complete. Donations are still needed to help us raise £210,000 to save this unique building.