Conc-loo-sion in sight for Church toilet saga

Tuesday 06 February 2018

An unholy row over whether a toilet extension should be added to an 800-year-old Parish church could finally come to an end in a vote at the end of this month.

A Parish Assembly will be held on the 26 February in a bid to finally decide whether to permit the controversial extension to St. Lawrence Church.

While it would make the 12^th century building more disability-friendly, the plans have deeply divided the island community. 

While some support the update, others – notably the Save Jersey Heritage campaigners and Professor Warwick Rodwell, an archaeologist who worked on Westminster Abbey – say that it will irreparably damage “one of the island’s finest medieval buildings.”

Pictured: Campaigners say they want to protect what they feel is one of the island's "finest medieval buildings." (Google Maps)

Despite protests, £80,000 of Parish funds has already been spent on the project and construction commenced last year.

But in a shock move by Constable Deirdre Mezbourian last month, they were halted with immediate effect.

She announced the move in a joint statement with the Rector, Reverend Phil Warren. Despite previous opposition, he is said to fully support the suspension until a final decision is taken.

Pictured: Constable Deirdre Mezbourian put an immediate stop to ongoing extension work last month.

That final decision will come following the parish meeting on 26 February at 19:00 in St. Lawrence Parish Hall. 

Only those on the electoral roll will be allowed to vote on the plans in a secret ballot. Each voter will be required to show photo ID to get their paper.

They’ll cast their vote after an hour of speeches divided equally between the Rector, the architect and those speaking against the extension.