Still on the fence over railings at Lyme Regis church (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Still on the fence over railings at Lyme Regis church

12:00pm Thursday 13th September 2012 in Lyme Regis

AFTER years of negotiations there is still no resolution on whether the rusting church railings at St Michael’s Church in Lyme Regis should be repaired or replaced.

The town council has been trying to resolve the problem for years but new deputy town clerk John Wright told councillors on the town management committee they should have a clearer idea by next week what West Dorset District Council planners would be happy with.

Mr Wright said he already had two quotes for replacing the 150-year old railings.

But reviewing the file before submitting a planning application he contacted the conservation officer only to discover matters were not resolved.

He has arranged a site visit next Wednesday and is hopeful the situation can be sorted out.

He said: “I want to go back to basics. What I don’t want to do is fire off a planning application and find out the conservation officer is not happy.

“It is not all agreed in terms of us being in a position to replace of railings – but it was my understanding from reading the file notes that it was.”

Mr Wright said he thought it would cost a lot more to repair because the railings date back around 150 years but said there is money for replacements.