St. Peter's Church, Chester

Council officers have been in discussions with St. Peter's Church, Northgate Street, Chester about the condition of the church wall and roof due to serious and potentially dangerous structural issues.

Since November 2022 Northgate Street and one footpath next to the church wall have been closed to vehicular access due to the potentially dangerous state of the church wall.

The church itself commissioned a structural survey of its church wall adjacent to Northgate Street, and has received the results of this, which it has now shared with the Council.

What is now happening

Following the receipt of the structural report in February 2023, the church wall has now been judged to be in a serious and potentially dangerous structural condition.

Due to the potential significant structural issues at that section of the wall, resulting in public safety concerns, and in accordance with Section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the street and both footpaths, as well as the entrance to the Rows on the corner of Northgate and Eastgate Street, have now been closed until further notice to protect the public.

Signage at the site reflects the closure, and alternative access points to Northgate Street have been identified.

The Rows businesses and Northgate Street businesses with the exception of Pandora are open. There are well signposted routes for all including those needing step free access

Social media messaging is alerting the public to the closure of the road and footpaths until further notice.

St. Peter’s Church has been issued with a Prohibition Notice under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It has temporarily closed the use of the church by members of the public until further notice due to serious and potentially dangerous structural issues.

The Council is working closely with the church to bring about a speedy and safe resolution that will enable us to open the road and footpaths as quickly as possible and allow the church to re-open.

We are also liaising with businesses to minimise any disruption and seeking to rectify the situation as soon as possible. Northgate Street can still be accessed via the steps by Rosie’s or around the corner on Eastgate Street.

Timescales

The Council has issued a notice under Section 77 of the Building Act 1984 (Dangerous Building) to the church.

The Council is currently in discussions with St Peter's Church to provide clear timescales for their earliest possible completion of the repair work and any necessary monitoring period.

Given the church’s serious and potentially dangerous structural issues; the church, the street and both footpaths, as well as the entrance to the Rows on the corner of Northgate and Eastgate Street, will remain closed until further notice to protect the public.

The church is scheduling the necessary repairs to make the building safe.

Further updates will be detailed on this website.