Our Future Plans
We completed the process of planning a facility which will benefit our community in 2022.
Please see the concept designs and the formal plans below. Our aim is to develop this space to allow us to support our community and to share Christ's love with our neighbours.
Please see the concept designs and the formal plans below. Our aim is to develop this space to allow us to support our community and to share Christ's love with our neighbours.
We worked hard with planners, architects and the diocese to develop a design that is
beautiful and contemporary, yet in keeping with our old church building.
On 28th April 2021, after 8 months with the planners, the formal plans were approved.
beautiful and contemporary, yet in keeping with our old church building.
On 28th April 2021, after 8 months with the planners, the formal plans were approved.
Our vision is to create a community orientated facility open to all.
Since the closure and change of use of the Harraton School there has been a real need
for new facilities in the area.
We envision a community cafe, providing a safe space for people to meet
and rooms for community use, including a regular youth club and many other opportunities.
Since the closure and change of use of the Harraton School there has been a real need
for new facilities in the area.
We envision a community cafe, providing a safe space for people to meet
and rooms for community use, including a regular youth club and many other opportunities.
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What this facility aims to provide is an opportunity for all to benefit.
So often it is the marginalised who need better facilities and support.
This could be offered, perhaps through a CAP debt centre, A Youth Club, storage and meeting space for the Food Bank, Co-working spaces, Internet access, Community groups, Lunch clubs, Training opportunites, rooms for hire and many other services, developing and expanding on what already takes place at St George's regularly.
So often it is the marginalised who need better facilities and support.
This could be offered, perhaps through a CAP debt centre, A Youth Club, storage and meeting space for the Food Bank, Co-working spaces, Internet access, Community groups, Lunch clubs, Training opportunites, rooms for hire and many other services, developing and expanding on what already takes place at St George's regularly.
With increasing concerns about the environment,
our vision is that the building will be ecologically sound and energy efficient,
using sustainably sourced materials as far as possible.
our vision is that the building will be ecologically sound and energy efficient,
using sustainably sourced materials as far as possible.
We have been on a long journey since the hall burned down 47 years ago.
Below is the story of that journey through the varied concepts that led us towards the right solution.
Below is the story of that journey through the varied concepts that led us towards the right solution.
At one point we needed to lighten the mood as the difficulties we faced began to feel insurmountable.
Can you spot the April fool in amongst those concepts? It generated some big smiles that day.
Can you spot the April fool in amongst those concepts? It generated some big smiles that day.
These plans have gone through the full planning process and work is starting immanently.
The Local Planning Authority wrote,
The Local Planning Authority wrote,
...extending into an area of grassland the extension will not unbalance the imposing church or harm any of its original architectural detailing, mixing the old and new well. The proposed addition will improve accessibility, commercial opportunity, and quality of experience for users and as such the Conservation Team are supportive of the scheme.
Following a gift day at church where many people were hugely generous, numerous generous gifts from our community, and grants from Benefact Trust, the Community lottery Fund,
Sir James Knott Trust, the Washington Neighbourhood Capital Fund of Sunderland Council, The Beatrice Laing Trust, Bernard Sunley Foundation, The Community Ownership Fund, Durham Diocese, Sir John Priestman Charitable Trust, William Webster, Garfield Weston, The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)* through Sunderland Council and a couple that wish to remain private, we have raised enough to go out to tender.
In February, the Tender prices came back with an unprecedented level of inflation. We went through a Value Engineering process to cut costs and worked out which segment of the project could be phased as we await additional funds to come available. With a loan, and utilising reserves to cover the contingency while we continue fundraising, we have appointed the contractor and the main phase I works have begun.
Our goal now is to raise the remaining money to enable the full vision come to fruition.
We hope you will give a generous gift to help make this community project a reality.
This project is part-funded by the UK Government through
the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Community Ownership Fund.
Sir James Knott Trust, the Washington Neighbourhood Capital Fund of Sunderland Council, The Beatrice Laing Trust, Bernard Sunley Foundation, The Community Ownership Fund, Durham Diocese, Sir John Priestman Charitable Trust, William Webster, Garfield Weston, The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)* through Sunderland Council and a couple that wish to remain private, we have raised enough to go out to tender.
In February, the Tender prices came back with an unprecedented level of inflation. We went through a Value Engineering process to cut costs and worked out which segment of the project could be phased as we await additional funds to come available. With a loan, and utilising reserves to cover the contingency while we continue fundraising, we have appointed the contractor and the main phase I works have begun.
Our goal now is to raise the remaining money to enable the full vision come to fruition.
We hope you will give a generous gift to help make this community project a reality.
This project is part-funded by the UK Government through
the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Community Ownership Fund.
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A Local Project for Local People
Registered Charity Number: 1190509
Registered Charity Number: 1190509
FAQ
Why are we doing this?
In 1972 the old church hall was set on fire and had to be demolished. Even then, there was a vision to replace it by building onto the church.
In 2015 we held a church vision day. Out of that came a desire to see the church become closer to the heart of the community. There are numerous ways we already serve our community, but it was felt to do more we needed better facilities and more accessible, flexible space
In 2015 we held a church vision day. Out of that came a desire to see the church become closer to the heart of the community. There are numerous ways we already serve our community, but it was felt to do more we needed better facilities and more accessible, flexible space
Why do we need this?
There are many needs and benefits we believe this facility will meet. These are laid out in the project document that can be downloaded below, but can be summed up in one word. Opportunity.
How much will this cost?
The total likely cost due to the unprecedented levels of inflation in the construction industry will be around £1,100,000 with the first phase costing around £930,000, depending on how much contingency is used.
Where will this money come from?
There are many external funders we are approaching, but they have limited resources. We hope and pray that local people and individuals will see the need and vision of this project that will serve this local community for decades to come. We thank God that our church family and friends have already stepped out in faith and sacrificially given gifts, pledges and raised a substantial part of the total. We pray that more will do so as we head towards the total.
Please be praying and thinking about what you could give. It may sound a lot, but it is no more than many houses in the area cost and if we all choose to give sacrificially and generously, we could make a big indent on the monies needed. Some may only be able to afford £10 (£2.50 a week, equivalent to a cup of coffee) or £20 a month, others may give bigger one off gifts by choosing to sacrifice or delay a big ticket item. We have already had a gift of just over £11,000 and another pledge that is even larger. A gift of £50 a month for two years by 100 people would raise a quarter of the total!
Lucy and I are committed to this project and will pledge a substantial sum as we believe in this vision that began decades ago. We have put money aside to do so and hope that many more will too.
We need to remember that this money that will not simply be spent and then gone, but will be invested in facilities, creating opportunity and a legacy for future generations. It will enable both community work and active ministry to occur here for decades to come. It is a myth that the Church of England or government fund the local church here, every penny we spend comes from donations and fees raised locally. This is local money being invested in local people and as a 'restricted' fund, none of it can go into the 'church' coffers, but must go on this project.
Please be praying and thinking about what you could give. It may sound a lot, but it is no more than many houses in the area cost and if we all choose to give sacrificially and generously, we could make a big indent on the monies needed. Some may only be able to afford £10 (£2.50 a week, equivalent to a cup of coffee) or £20 a month, others may give bigger one off gifts by choosing to sacrifice or delay a big ticket item. We have already had a gift of just over £11,000 and another pledge that is even larger. A gift of £50 a month for two years by 100 people would raise a quarter of the total!
Lucy and I are committed to this project and will pledge a substantial sum as we believe in this vision that began decades ago. We have put money aside to do so and hope that many more will too.
We need to remember that this money that will not simply be spent and then gone, but will be invested in facilities, creating opportunity and a legacy for future generations. It will enable both community work and active ministry to occur here for decades to come. It is a myth that the Church of England or government fund the local church here, every penny we spend comes from donations and fees raised locally. This is local money being invested in local people and as a 'restricted' fund, none of it can go into the 'church' coffers, but must go on this project.
Where has the money come from so far?
We initially stepped out in faith, but we have 2 generous legacies left in people's wills that have enabled us to get to this stage where planning permission has been granted, along with a crowdfunding effort that led to match funding being given by Sunderland City Council, for which we are very grateful. Since then, we have had a gift day at church where over £120,000 was given or pledged. We thank God for the generosity of so many people. We have already received numerous grants mentioned above - and we thank their trustees for backing this project, which with other funds, including the Fatfield fund means we have around 90% of the total expected costs raised. Utilising a loan and reserves there is enough to start work on the main annexe, but addition funds are needed to complete all the works planned and restore those parts that will be phased back in as funds become available.
This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Why don’t we just build a lift to upstairs?
Architecturally it is only possible to put a lift in that reaches the first floor and would not add much benefit to the community. At a cost of around £40,000 for something that would not solve the issues we have with use of rooms during services, funerals, etc; would take up substantial space in the vestibule, create the need for a fire refuge upstairs and does not truly provide good access for all, this was not seen as a good use of funds.
Why is this taking so long?
While we are not a listed building, St George’s is treated by planners as a ‘heritage’ asset which means many people have to agree to the design. These plans have now been given formal approval by the Council planners and Faculty has been granted. Technical and engineering plans are now all but completed and the tender pack has been sent out to 6 companies that have expressed an interest in building the project. A contractor has now been chosen following the tenders, and we if additional funds come in soon, we hope to finish work by Easter 2024, otherwise phased works will be done over the long term as funds come in.
Why do we need the new entrance as well?
Creating an independent annexe will enable multiple activities to be going on at the same time.
Out of the church vision day it was also felt that people cannot ‘see in’ to the church from where they approach. In fact, I have met people who literally could not find their way in to our church and others who had no idea we have a busy Christ centred, community focussed church here. This will also double as a community space and meeting room.
Out of the church vision day it was also felt that people cannot ‘see in’ to the church from where they approach. In fact, I have met people who literally could not find their way in to our church and others who had no idea we have a busy Christ centred, community focussed church here. This will also double as a community space and meeting room.
How long will it take to finish?
Planning permission was granted in 2021. Initial works should be completed by May 2022 and as additional funds come in further phased parts of the project will be restored. The architectural and engineering designs are complete. We estimate a build time of 8-9 months (maybe more). During that construction phase we aim to continue worship and activities at church, but clearly there will be major disruption during the week. The project is being done in phases, therefore some works may take place over a longer period if need be.
What about ongoing maintenance and running costs?
A business plan and a maintenance plan have been put together, but room rentals and gifts will more than cover the day to day running costs and the community cafe will be set up in such a way as to reinvest any profit back into the community here.
How can I give to support this project and can i be sure it will be used for it?
Firstly, any money given will be restricted to use on this project and cannot be used for general church funds.
ALL money we receive from gifts and donations will go on this project as we do not have expensive staff to pay or marketing/fundraisers taking a share. As a local church, all the money we need to run comes from local donations and fees.
If you are a tax payer and have not filled in a gift aid form, please take one from the file in church or download one from the 'support' page here. If you wish to give a one off donation, please write a cheque or make a bank transfer and let us know it is a gift to the Community Annexe vision of St George’s.
If you wish to give a regular gift or pledge, please set up a standing order online or by completing the form from the file, sending it to your bank and letting us know.
If you wish to set up a fund-raising event, or give online, you can use our Stewardship site (crowdfunding).
www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/stgeorgesfatfieldfacility
Bank details are on the standing order forms in the 'support' page.
Cheques are payable to St George’s Church Fatfield PCC Annex Fund STGF
If you wish an acknowledgement and thank you, please let us know about your gift by e-mail or letter as some of these methods come through anonymously.
ALL money we receive from gifts and donations will go on this project as we do not have expensive staff to pay or marketing/fundraisers taking a share. As a local church, all the money we need to run comes from local donations and fees.
If you are a tax payer and have not filled in a gift aid form, please take one from the file in church or download one from the 'support' page here. If you wish to give a one off donation, please write a cheque or make a bank transfer and let us know it is a gift to the Community Annexe vision of St George’s.
If you wish to give a regular gift or pledge, please set up a standing order online or by completing the form from the file, sending it to your bank and letting us know.
If you wish to set up a fund-raising event, or give online, you can use our Stewardship site (crowdfunding).
www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/stgeorgesfatfieldfacility
Bank details are on the standing order forms in the 'support' page.
Cheques are payable to St George’s Church Fatfield PCC Annex Fund STGF
If you wish an acknowledgement and thank you, please let us know about your gift by e-mail or letter as some of these methods come through anonymously.
What will happen to our existing servery?
It would be sad to say goodbye to something only 6 years old and has served us really well. It is, however, often pushed well beyond its limits given the numbers at events and meals, hence the need for a proper kitchen.
There are a couple of options to ensure it is not wasted, including re-using it to replace the aging kitchen upstairs or reposition it in the church for ongoing use.
There are a couple of options to ensure it is not wasted, including re-using it to replace the aging kitchen upstairs or reposition it in the church for ongoing use.
What will happen if the headstones by the old porch need to be moved?
With agreement from the DAC in the faculty, these will be moved down the side of church. Some of these have been moved once before and no longer mark specific graves.
What happens if any remains are unearthed during construction?
We hope that foundations will cause minimal disturbance, but if any remains are unearthed, they will be reburied reverently in a separate plot. We are also discussing the creation of a memorial for those buried in the upper churchyard to be placed in the garden of remembrance.
If you have any questions, please do ask us or drop us an e-mail
If you have any questions, please do ask us or drop us an e-mail
If you have any further questions, please do feel free to drop us a message.
*The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund: prospectus - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The Community cafe and Annexe project has received £139,907 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund towards the construction and first year running costs of the Community cafe and £250,000 through the Community ownership fund towards construction of the cafe/annexe.
The Community cafe and Annexe project has received £139,907 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund towards the construction and first year running costs of the Community cafe and £250,000 through the Community ownership fund towards construction of the cafe/annexe.
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