St Pauls Church, the Old School House and the Church Hall have been cared for by the PCC over the years, but without the commitment to invest financially and to future-proof the use and maintenance of these buildings. In the Church we have no disabled access, no water and no toilet facilities and a very poor, ineffective and costly heating system.

The Church is currently inaccessible to many users with disabilities due to the narrow north entrance doors, cramped porch and two entrance steps. The Church House also has two steps up into the entrance hall. Temporary ramps can be used, but they are awkward and are clearly unacceptable. The majority of users arrive by car, and the current arrangement to access the Church (via the north door) then necessitates either a somewhat dangerous walk from the car park at the rear towards the front of the Church along the narrow drive taking care as other cars arrive, or a muddy and uneven walk along a narrow path at the west end. The new entrance will allow a much more flexible access arrangement and provide a shared entrance for able and disabled users alike.

The PCC are embarrassed that we are unable to offer ministry or pastoral care within any of the buildings on this site to those who are unable to physically walk through or be pulled up the two steps of our one door. We are encouraging young families as part of our worshipping community, but we cannot minister to them because prams, buggies etc, cannot easily be brought through the door, neither can we offer changing facilities or even a place for play.

It is essential that we are able to offer an accessible entrance for all who need it. The plan to link the Old School House to the Church enables those who wish to use the church building and the Old School House full access. Furthermore, it makes the Old School House, the church space and the new central area fully accessible to those with physical disabilities and access to full adult accessible toilet and changing facilities.