Faculty Jurisdiction (Amendment) Rules 2019
The management of all consecrated buildings and burial grounds falls outside the secular listed building regime by what is termed as the 'ecclesiastical exemption'.
Instead, they are subject to the Faculty Jurisdiction (Amendment) Rules 2019, which means that permission - either a Faculty, an Archdeacon's Authorisation under 'List B', or an Archdeacon's Licence - will be required for almost any change or work to be done to or affecting a church building, its contents or churchyard.
This system is in place to ensure that churches are properly cared for and that whatever work is undertaken is properly considered and undertaken in the most appropriate way.
The kind of permission required will depend on the kind of work to be done. In all cases, please contact the Church Buildings Department at an early stage to discuss your case and proposals so that we can guide and support you through the process, and work towards a positive outcome.
All faculty applications are now being made through the Online Faculty System - and the Church Buildings Department are happy to help should you need assistance navigating the process. We can also provide you with support and guidance as to applying for grants and funding for your works.
Further information about the Church Buildings Department, the DAC, the work that we do and the help we can offer can be found within this section of the website.