Property

Property affairs of the synod and its churches sits with the Property Officer.

They work closely with the Finance Officer, report to the Synod Clerk and the property function is overseen by the Synod Trustees.

The Property Officer will assist churches with any property related issues but is unable to give professional legal advice as they are not a qualified solicitor.  However, all queries of a legal nature are forwarded to the Synod’s solicitors, Veale Wasbrough Vizards, who have extensive knowledge and experience of charity and property law.

You can contact the Property Officer here.

Forms and documents

Find all the forms you need (and probably ones you didn’t think you needed!) on our forms page here. This include forms for quinquennial surveys.

We also have a vast array of documents and policies that you might need here.

We have guidance and templates to prepare plans for Missional and Sustainable buildings. Both seek to support us as look afresh at our buildings as we seek to engage in mission and with our environmental responsibilities. Click here to find them.

Grants and Funding

We have a whole page dedicated to grants and funding available to you as individuals, churches or areas. These include funding support for property projects, quinquennial surveys and more!

Go to Grants and Funding page

Listed Buildings

Ordinarily, works to listed buildings that might affect their character, historic fabric or features or setting require consent from the local planning authority. However, the United Reformed Church (in common with other denominations) has been given the powers to grant Listed Building Consent for works to the following buildings, objects and structures:

  • URC buildings used primarily for public worship.
  • Any object or structure contained within or forming part of such a building.
  • Any object or structure fixed to the exterior of such a building unless it is itself a listed building.
  • Any object or structure within the curtilage of such a building which, although not fixed to it, forms part of the land unless the object or structure is itself a listed building.

The procedure governing the exercise of these powers is set out in the United Reformed Church and the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, Procedure for Control of Works to Buildings”, and this note explains how the procedure operates.

Further details can be found in these guidance notes. 

The required forms, referred to in these notes are: Form 1 Appendix A and Form 1 Appendix B.