Medieval law for church repairs finally resolved

St Cuthbert’s Parish Church bosses have revealed an agreement has been reached with 6,000 home owners in Lytham that the Parochial Church Council will no longer seek large bills to pay for repairs to the ancient parish church.

The news will be welcomed by residents who had been informed by the Land Registry they could be liable for repairs to St Cuthbert’s.

In January this year, freehold title holders of land in the town were sent notices informing them of the church’s move to retain the right to ask for money towards repairs to the church’s chancel, the area around the altar.

Rev Philip Biggs, back in January moved to calm fears that homeowners could face large bills for church repairs.

He said: “Homeowners in this parish can be reassured they will not face ruin over church bills.

“Unfortunately, there have been some misleading articles in the national press.”

This week, Rev Biggs issued the following statement: “Agreement has now been reached with the owners of the titles in Lytham St Annes against which unilateral notices were registered to protect St Cuthbert’s rights in respect of chancel repair liability.

“This includes an agreement that the PCC will not seek to register liability against the titles concerned in the future. All the notices have now been removed.”

Rev Biggs told The Express he was happy that the issue has been addressed and concluded.

He added: “We do not have much to add, but obviously we are pleased to have been able to have worked thoroughly through this dilemma, over a period of time, mindful of our own pastoral concerns for the community in which we minister.”