PUBLIC NOTICE: Proposed Installation of Herschel Infra-Red Heaters and Lights into the Chapel of St Mary’s Church, Bitton
Archdeaconry: Malmesbury Ref: 2024-105148 Diocese: Bristol Church: Bitton: St Mary
NOTICE IS GIVEN that we are applying to the Consistory Court of the diocese for permission to carry out the following:
The installation of two Hershel chandeliers containing both infra-red heaters and lighting to the chapel at St Mary’s Church in Bitton. The chapel was originally built as a chantry chapel in 1299 but has undergone many changes since and not least after the last war, when its roof was replaced by a concreate and iron structure from which the chandeliers will hang.
The chapel is often used separately from the main church, for smaller services or meetings and can be expensive to heat in winter months. Lighting in the chapel is poor and largely consists of some old spotlights that are difficult to maintain. The intention is to reduce the use of energy in heating the area and introduce lower energy but improved lighting.
The church is still pursuing Faculty 2018-021222, which is a major reordering including to the wider heating arrangements for the church. It identified the need to reduce carbon footprint and support the Bristol Diocese ambition to reach net zero by 2030. Infra-red heaters did not figure in our initial proposals and our architect is not presently advising them as an option for the main part of the church. But following visits by Diocesan energy use advisers infra red heaters are considered to be particularly beneficials in the chapel given its size and usage and would provide a short term gain without jeopardising longer term decision making.
Copies of the relevant plans and documents may be examined at St Mary’s Church, Bitton and are also available on the church website at www.stmarysbitton.org.uk
Petitioners:
1. JAMES HEAVENS, VICE CHAIR OF PCC
2. SIMON HARRIS, CHURCHWARDEN
Date 13/10/2025
If you wish to object to any of the works or proposals you should send a letter stating the grounds of your objection to The Diocesan Registrar at Stone King LLP, Boundary House, 91 Charterhouse Street bristolregistry@stoneking.co.uk
so that your letter reaches the registrar not later than 12/11/2025. A letter of objection must include your name and address and state whether you live in the parish and/or your name is entered on the church electoral roll of the parish or any other basis on which you have an interest in the matter.
Further Information
Details of the proposal are given in the accompanying Statement of Need. Further information about the capacity and general design of the heaters is given in the Herschel Data Sheet.
In addition, and at request of the DAC, the heaters will be given some local design. The heaters will be provided in the standard bronze colour, in effect a mid-way between gold and brass. It was felt that if this colour were used, when looking out from or into the chapel it would complement the faded gold paint on the roof and corbels of the nave.
For decoration, inspiration was sought from the Victorian tiles in the sanctuary of the chapel, which were specially made and many have a significance for the chapel’s history and dedications. From these it was decided to use the symbol of the wheel of St Catherine of Alexandria to whom the chapel is dedicated.
