THE PCC of St Leonard’s, Chesham Bois, in Buckinghamshire, has apologised for the “inflammatory or offensive” language utilized in a recent sermon, which was interpreted by some parishioners as a direct response to local objections to the church’s recent planning appeal. The PCC denies this.
The PCC, chaired by the Rector, the Revd Laurie Clow, has been searching for to construct a multi-functional parish centre to interchange its Nineteen Thirties parish hall, but its application has been turned down thrice by the planning inspectorate. The original design incorporated two large meeting halls, a café and day nursery, a alternative rectory, an extra staff dwelling, associated landscaping, and parking for 114 cars. The church is situated in woodland contained in the Chesham Bois conservation area.
The first planning application was made in 2020, and rejected by Buckinghamshire Council in January 2021. An appeal was also rejected in April 2022. A 3rd try and pass the plans with some changes was dismissed on 11 January.
Local opinion has been largely against the event, with a reported 257 letters of objection and 49 in favour submitted to the Council.
The report of the planning inspectorate in April 2022 was favourable: it acknowledged the extent of activity the brand new centre would generate, and, even though it “couldn’t be thought to be contributing to the sensation of rural tranquillity”, the design was of a top quality that embraced the woodland setting. The recent centre, it said, would make “a positive contribution to the conservation area and wouldn’t harm the living conditions of the neighbouring occupiers”.
The inspector also said that there was no evidence that community dissatisfaction in itself would make the proposal unviable, or that it must be “an element weighed within the balance on this particular case”.
Natural England, nevertheless, had, within the intervening months, issued recent advice regarding “significant recreational pressure” on Chiltern Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The Inspectorate acknowledged the “difficult timing” of that advice, but concluded that there was “ insufficient evidence submitted in support of the proposal to conclude that its impact, whether alone or together, might be avoided or mitigated in order that the integrity of the SAC might be preserved”. It subsequently turned down the appeal.
Local press reports have drawn attention to strained relations between the church and the community after a sermon from the Rector’s wife, Wendy Clow, wherein she quoted Philippians 3.2, was interpreted as “spiritual warfare”. She reportedly urged the congregation to “be careful out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh”. A New Year card distributed every 12 months to parishioners and visitors to the church also made reference to being “at war”.
St Leonard’s, within the diocese of Oxford, describes itself as “lion-hearted and courageous disciples, a prophetic community”. The language it uses reflects that of the Jesus Ministry, with which it closely engages, and which asserts: “We need to embrace the fact that warfare between the Kingdoms is a central reality to our lives. Our battle just isn’t against flesh and blood. We are called to wage war on the front foot, and to do do without allowing the prevailing mindset of our Western culture to water it down.”
A PCC spokesperson said on Monday: “We understand the planning dispute surrounding our application has been stressful for all concerned. We have listened closely to the community, and have significantly reduced the brand new development plans while keeping the scheme useful to all. We long to see the entire community profit from all of the work at St Leonard’s.
“We are dissatisfied our application has been refused, and shall be taking time over the approaching weeks to think about our next steps, and whether to appeal this decision.
“The parish church has sat at the center of the community for over 800 years, and we’re called to like, bless, and pray for everybody within the village. We know there was some concern inside the community in regards to the language utilized in our sermons and a New Year card sent out earlier this 12 months.
“We would love to apologise unreservedly for the offence caused to members of our community, by the sermon and the cardboard. Neither of those messages were targeted at a selected section of our community, nor in response to anything specific.
“It was not the intent of the preacher, nor the leadership of St Leonard’s, to be inflammatory or offensive. It is common to evangelise messages based on the wealthy imagery we discover within the Bible, particularly the New Testament, which regularly includes spiritual warfare and battle metaphors.”
