Description
* UNDER OFFER*
Tenders to be received by 5pm Thursday 21st March 2024. An attractive detached Grade II* listed former, now closed, parish church for the village of Chelwood. This property offers a potential opportunity for alternative uses subject to planning and listed building consents. It comprises churchyard with public footpath, graveyard and the deconsecrated church building itself. It is in an elevated position from the road and located in a cul-de-sac. Please note the extent of the churchyard is to be confirmed to potential purchasers as the western end is still being used for burials. Photos taken April 2023.

Method of Sale
The property is offered for sale as a whole. Offers invited subject to the Conditions.

Tenure and Possession
The unregistered freehold of the property is offered with vacant possession.

Access, Rights of Way and Reservations
A public footpath runs from the north east corner through the churchyard, to the north west corner. Continuing access will be needed for the public, in order for graves to be visited.

The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all rights, including rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water and electricity supplies and other rights and obligations, easements and quasi-easements and restrictive covenants and all existing and proposed wayleaves, masts, pylons, stays, cables, drains and water, gas and other pipes whether referred to in the particulars or not.

Graveyard
Please note that the grounds have been and continue to be used as a graveyard. Certain restrictions therefore apply, including not disturbing any human remains interred in the property, and potential purchasers are encouraged to make full enquiries via their solicitors.

Fixtures and fittings
These are to be agreed between purchaser and vendor depending on the use that comes forward, and the availability of listed building consent for removal.
The vendors reserve the right to remove any of the stained glass windows, pews, the pulpit, the stone font and other furnishings prior to completion (subject to listed building consent where appropriate).
The vendors also reserve the right to remove the wall-mounted memorials prior to completion, together with the other contents in the church.

Town and Country Planning
Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves that their intended use will meet statutory planning requirements.

Services
The church electricity supply is connected. Please note there is no water connected. Oil fired central heating is present, the tank for which is located at the western elevation of the church.
Surface gullies for groundwater are present, there is no foul water drainage.

Local Authority
Bath & North East Somerset Council,
Lewis House,
Manvers Street,
Bath,
BA1 1JG

Fencing
Upon completion of a sale, it will be the purchaser's responsibility to erect suitable fencing along the boundary and maintain thereafter in good condition.

Viewing
Strictly only by prior appointment with Savills. Please contact Megan Roberts (Bath Office).

Health and Safety
Note that there is no parking available at the church and care should be taken as the A368 is a fast road. There is a suspected asbestos sheet lean-to roof located externally at the western elevation.

Legal and General Note, and Restrictive Covenants
The Diocese of Bath and Wells have provided Savills with a copy of their Legal and General Note and Appendix of Covenants to be included in the Disposal of a Closed Church Building documents. Both of these documents, and covenants contained within, will form part of any contract of sale, and are available upon request.

(1) All offers received will be referred to the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee (DMPC). While the DMPC does not have a power of disposal, it will make a recommendation to the Church Commissioners who have power under the Pastoral Measure 1983 to prepare and issue a draft pastoral (church buildings disposal) scheme authorising the new use and disposal of the property.
(2) In the event of that scheme becoming effective the Commissioners will be empowered to sell [or the DBF to lease] the property for the authorised use when the remaining statutory requirements are completed. The scheme will also free the property from the legal effects of consecration.
(3) Until the scheme has been completed the Commissioners [DBF] will not be in a position to proceed to contract.

Conditions
Prospective purchasers are invited to submit offers, subject to the following rules and stipulations:-
(1) Offers must be accompanied by sketch plans (which need not be detailed at this stage but which should outline the applicant's proposals) and written details of the proposed use of the property.
(2) The Vendors do not bind themselves to accept the highest or any offer.
(3) The offer must state clearly the price which the applicant is prepared to offer for the property, and must be unconditional save for the condition that planning permission [and listed building consent] be granted.
Conditional acceptance of an offer will be subject to:
(a) Completion by the Church Commissioners of a pastoral (church buildings disposal) scheme authorising the new use and disposal of the property.
(b) Approval by the Church Commissioners of detailed plans and specifications of any proposed architectural or structural alterations following consultation with their expert advisers.
(c) Compliance with the statutory requirements where human remains are present and the disposal of any tombstones, monument and memorials.

Privacy
Your data will be used in accordance with Savills' privacy policy and in addition may be shared with The Church Commissioners for England and The Diocese of Bath and Wells. Savills' privacy policy can be found on its UK website.