PARISH CENTRE REDEVELOPMENT
We are redeveloping our Parish Centre!
Here you will find the latest updates on our progress, as well as some FAQs and the opportunity to sign up to keep up to date with our news.
​
Thank you for your interest in this project!
March 2025
On 7th March 2025 our planning permission was granted and we have been awarded full costs.
We are grateful for the Planning Inspector's discernment.
We'd like to take this opportunity to clarify some misinformation that is publicly available.
-
We are not building a "commercial development", but a community facility. This is intended for the benefit of the whole community. People are not going to be “bussed in” from other areas.
-
Capacity use, people and parking, will not be reached all day every day. Regular use will be much less. The early time is to enable legally required wrap around care for any preschool that may use the facility. The later time is the time the site needs to be clear, not for events to finish.
-
The parking requirements are set by the planning authority.
-
The Parish Centre site is not in the centre of the conservation area and all building is on Church owned land.
If you wish to see the reasons for the appeal being upheld and the award of costs, both documents are available here: https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?caseid=3343635
We hope this allays the fears of some in our area and that together we can see the future development of our community.
To read previous updates please click here.
FAQs
We are grateful for the level of local interest in our project and are keeping a list of FAQs in response to the main themes and issues being raised. These are being updated periodically as we receive further feedback.
​
Please click here for a list of FAQs.
Newsletters
Key Features of the Proposed Development
The design includes the following:
-
High quality design respectful of the heritage and woodland - many have stated how beautiful the design is and how it reflects its setting
-
​Main hall accommodating up to 275 people
-
Offices for St Leonard's Church and Chesham Bois Parish Council, including meeting rooms for varied uses
-
Self-contained Day Nursery and garden space, modernising and improving facilities for Maryland
-
Additional multi-function hall
-
Church-led cafe
-
Replacement Rectory (according to Diocesan requirements) and a staff home
-
Sufficient woodland-style parking on site for everyday use, accessed via Glebe Way
-
Prayer, reflection and outside spaces
-
Dynamic green roof and other environmental features
The redevelopment will use existing Church-owned land and the project has the support of the Diocese of Oxford. The new Parish Centre will serve the ongoing and future needs of the Church and local community.
​
The 800 year old Church Building on High Bois Lane will continue to be used for services on Sundays and all it's other current varied uses.
Stay Connected
If you would like to receive periodic e-mail updates, bulletins and information about events please subscribe to our mailing list.
If you would like to contact us with questions or comments about our Parish Centre redevelopment project, please use the following dedicated email address:
.jpg)
Vision
Bishop Steven has given us a clear vision in the Diocese of Oxford: ‘a vision to guide us to become more Christ like: contemplative, compassionate and courageous as we serve our fragmented world.’ We believe that our Parish Centre Site Redevelopment project enables us to engage with both the diocesan and our parish vision.
As you can see from our mission & vision statements and the Diocesan strapline above we are called to be more Christ-like, doing the ministry of Jesus the way he modelled to us. All that we do together is grounded in our identity in Christ and arises from His call to us in His Word and by His Spirit. This community enhancing project is exciting, and whilst challenging enables us to fulfil the long-held vision to bless and serve our parish. We hope the information on this page will help you see the intentions of this project, the facts about it and the opportunities it will give to the whole community.