Preston's St Mary's church based at important Catholic pilgrimage site refused permission for work to address wet rot in its flooring
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The congregation of St Mary's in Fernyhalgh Lane, close to the Ladyewell Shrine, called in a design company to address wet rot in the flooring of the church's sanctuary.
But suggestions put forward have failed to get approval from the city council.
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Hide AdNow it could mean parishioners going back to the drawing board to look at alternative ways of addressing the problem.
Designers recommended removing rotted timber floorboards in the 228-year-old Catholic church and replacing them with new stone steps with under-floor heating.
The plan also involved removing the existing carpet and replacing it with a stone flag finish.
The church’s sanctuary has one step up to a raised timber platform and then a further two steps which are carpeted to the high altar.
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Hide Ad"This surface material has been affected by wet rot and is now failing as a floor covering. It is stained and unsightly,” says a report to the council.
"Currently the raised timber platform to both levels doesn't have any ventilation.
"The timber joists to the lower sub-floor are resting on compacted ground and a number of joists are rotten and need replacement.
"The same can be said of the high altar sub-floor which is also of timber construction without ventilation."
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Hide AdThe design will now go back to the scheme's agent, Peter O'Brien of the North West Historic Churches Committee, to review.
Fernyhalgh has been a sacred place of devotion for Catholics since the 11th century.
St Mary's was built in 1794 to cater for pilgrims who visited the Ladyewell Shrine just down the lane.