FOLLOWING your recent report (Echo, June 25) about the decision to recommend closure of St Laurence Church, in Middleton St George, I would like to clarify the situation.

In September 2008, our insurance company would no longer provide public liability cover following falls of plaster from the ceiling.

The congregation had to move to the school and it has been growing since then.

The £300,000 costs quoted did not include the cost of underpinning the structure.

The architect’s estimate to underpin the church, to provide facilities and make it fit for purpose was £824,359.

The church is built on unstable ground. We run the risk that not only will initial costs escalate, but work done may not provide a permanent solution.

Currently, the parochial church council is responsible for two ancient churches.

Renovation work has started on St George’s Church with money given specifically for that building. It will be brought back into more frequent use.

The church council cannot tell the Church Commissioners to close St Laurence’s. They can ask for the process to be addressed.

The decision to close the church for public worship can only be taken by the Church Commissioners. Their decision will only come after a further period of public notice which will probably take place in September.

The Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee is aware of the local feeling. It has supported The Reverend Paul Neville and the congregation in the past. For the reasons outlined, it has now agreed to ask the Church Commissioners to publish proposals for closing the church for public worship.

This would not determine the future use of the building.

Rather it is a means of transferring ownership and responsibility for St Laurence’s from the Parochial Church Council to the Diocese which would then seek to find the right solution for the future.

The Venerable Nick Barker, Middleton St George.