The first major step in our Planning Application took place on Wednesday. Our architect, surveyor, planning consultant and ourselves met Fr Brian Doolan of the Historic Churches Committee and his architect, and the City of Oxford planning officer and conservation officer. The plans were presented, explained and defended. It was agreed that the plan for a new portico on the front of the Church would be withdrawn, but everything else seemed to be acceptable, subject to further consultation. So we are progressing.
The most attractive part of the new building from the outside will be the Cortile, which will provide a covered space around a central open area, so that parishioners can move between the church, the new chapel and the parish centre undercover, or sit in the sunlight around the fountain as social events in the Hopkins Room spill out into the summer evenings. The rain-water recycling tank will be underneath the cortile, so there can be a fountain in the middle. Probably potted plants and creeping things festooning the arches as well.
