The church had planning approval granted last year – and the backing of the parish and the Anglican Church in Jersey – to build an extension to the north of the building and to create a kitchen inside.
However, campaigners Save Jersey’s Heritage says the work will be a ‘carbuncle that will disfigure’ the 800-year-old church.
And they have come up with alternative plans that will meet the improvement project’s aims – without the need to build an extension.
The conservation group’s president, Marcus Binney, claims that St Lawrence Constable Deidre Mezbourian – who is required to sign any planning application for the church – and the parish Rector, the Rev Phil Warren, are refusing to allow them to submit their proposals to Planning.
‘We fully support the provision of improved wheelchair access and of a toilet for the use of the congregation,’ Mr Binney said.
‘The main issue is whether the toilet is built inside or outside. We believe St Lawrence Church is one of the most beautiful and historic churches in the Channel Islands.’
As well as fears about the impact an extension would have on the exterior appearance of the church, Mr Binney says Save Jersey’s Heritage is also concerned about an architectural feature unique to the Channel Islands – a cannon door – which would be masked by the proposed extension.
The doors date back to when parish churches served as military arsenals, housing cannons to defend the Island against attack from the French.
‘The St Lawrence example is considered to be the best surviving cannon archway,’ said Mr Binney.
Mrs Mezbourian and Mr Warren deny that they have refused to support Save Jersey’s Heritage’s alternative plans, saying that having considered the group’s proposal, they have the support of the congregation and parishioners to go ahead with the project.
The scheme is currently out to tender and they hope the work will begin later this year.
