Closed Church Buildings and Use Seeking Jeremy Tipping and Harvey Howlett Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 Summer 2012 Conferences

Dioceses Commissioners Partnership

Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 Summer 2012 Conferences Dioceses Commissioners Partnership

What is a Suitable Use? How do we assess it? What is the Value? How can we better work together? Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 Summer 2012 Conferences

Church, Medical Centre, Pre-School, Community Centre

Christian Worship

Pub

Climbing Centre

Community and Health Centre

Residential

Corporate Events Venue

Parish Hall

Children’s Play Centre

Office

Suitability has no definition in the legislation Test Is the use “OK” ? Is the use achievable? Is the use sustainable?

Worship Office Play Parish Hall Events ClimbingResidentialHealth

Worship £900K Office £36K Play £200K Parish Hall £1 Events £300K p/a Climbing £27K Residential £27K Health at loss

Suitability has no definition in the legislation Test Is the use “OK” ? Is the use achievable? Is the use sustainable?

Is the Use OK? Not one use being better than another but simply is the use acceptable

Is the Use Achievable? This question draws in limitations for which significant amounts of information is available: – Planning – Historic Importance – Area – Condition

Is the use Sustainable? The question requires thinking about not only achievability but also how long a particular use can be sustained. Will it survive for more than a few years? Also important to consider when discussing a worship user

A Tale of Two Churches Grade II*Grade IIResidential Area BuriedNot BuriedResidential Possible

A Tale of Two Churches Marketed for Any offer for Residential with PP and LBC Guide Price £200 K £ K

A Tale of Two Churches Guide Price £200,000£350,000 Offer Received £40,000£461,000 subject to planning

Risk and Reward Obtaining consents costs money which is at risk But the rewards can be significant and more than cover the costs

Value Value of the Building as it stands Value with alternative viable uses Value with permission for use Value of the building with use in place

Value But What About Mission?

Value Community Value Mission Value These are intangible so how do you make the assessment? Without the financial information is it possible to make this assessment?

Market Appraisal / Valuation Essential early information In every Case? Assess Value Cost or Repair Historic Importance

Achieving Value Ensuring Strategy for Marketing Minimum Delay Achieving/ Maximising Return now or in the future

The offer accepted but subject to the negotiation of an Overage Clause. Overage a way of preserving our interest in the eventual development value. But the deal has to remain a commercial opportunity for the Developer/Purchaser £40,000 subject to planning

Site Value Value of the Building as it stands Value with alternative viable uses Value with permission for use Value of the building with use in place Value of a site for development

What is a Suitable Use? How do we assess it? What is the Value?

Successful Use Seeking A successful use seeking strategy will take into consideration 1.Viable alternative uses for the Building/Site given context 2.Market Appraisal/Valuation with and without planning permission 3.Interested Parties who can influence the success of strategy 4.Planning Policy 5.Programme – 2 year use seeking then what?

How can we better work together? Dioceses Commissioners Partnership

How can we better work together? Partnership Commissioners Professional Team Regionally Located Standing with you Sharing Experience No surprises

Conclusion Achieving new uses for closed churches Assess importance but also value Develop appropriate marketing strategy Invest to maximise value where possible Secure value now or in the future Working together so that there are no surprises along the way