Our Future Plans
We have completed the inital process of planning a facility which will benefit our community.
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 now gone through the full planning application.
The Local Planning Authority has approved these plans.
The Local Planning Authority has approved these plans.
...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,
our goal now is to raise the remaining £440,000 needed to enable this vision come to fruition.
We hope you will give a generous gift to help make this community project a reality.
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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 Quantity Surveyor commissioned by the architect calculated a build cost of £540,000, which with a 10% contingency, VAT and fees means we need to raise a total £687,000. We still need a further £440,000 in addition to money already given and that in the Fatfield fund.
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!
We will also be offering people the chance to 'sponsor' a brick, maybe in memorial to someone in the churchyard. We will write names onto the bricks that will be used in the annexe wall construction.
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!
We will also be offering people the chance to 'sponsor' a brick, maybe in memorial to someone in the churchyard. We will write names onto the bricks that will be used in the annexe wall construction.
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 crowfunding 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. Other funds, including the Fatfield fund means we have over 35% of the total expected costs raised.
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.
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.
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.
How long will it take to finish?
Once planning permission and Diocesan approval are granted and enough money to cover fees is raised, we will commission the architect to draw up the technical designs and go out to tender for the project. This in itself will take many months. Once the funds are raised to cover the build cost, a firm will be appointed, and we estimate a build time of 4-6 months (maybe more). During that construction phase we may well need to worship in a temporary location.
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 give by card, we have a card reader in the office when it is open.
If you wish to set up a fund-raising event, or give electroniaclly, you can use our Stewardship site.
www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/stgeorgesfatfieldfacility
Bank details are on the standing order forms in the 'suppport' 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 give by card, we have a card reader in the office when it is open.
If you wish to set up a fund-raising event, or give electroniaclly, you can use our Stewardship site.
www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/stgeorgesfatfieldfacility
Bank details are on the standing order forms in the 'suppport' 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?
Ultimately the DAC (diocesan planners) will have the final say, but if necessary, our hope is they will be moved down the side of church or to the other groups of headstones in the old churchyard. 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 reverantly 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.
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