A CHURCH has submitted plans for a new eco-friendly heating system more than a year after the old, gas-fired one stopped working.

The application by the parochial church council at Holy Trinity Church in Skipton to North Yorkshire Council says the intention is to take the opportunity to make the ancient church more accessible and sustainable, and to meet the Church of England's goal of reaching net zero by 2030.

When the church's old gas-fired heating system failed towards the end of 2022, it proved to be both impractical to repair and undesirable for environmental reasons, says Overton Architects in a design, access and heritage statement accompanying the PCC's application to the council.

The plan if approved will see air source heat pumps installed on the roof of the church's Taste and See cafe and the siting of photovoltaic panels in the lesser used north churchyard.

Also proposed is an 'airlock' - a new glazed doorway in the main south entrance porch of the church, and the existing entrance to the cafe will be widened to improve wheelchair access.

The old heating system failed because of 'severe leaks from the cast iron buried under the floor of the church'.

Overton Architects says in its statement: "Excavation of of the affected areas revealed that the pipes were set into damp fill material below the stone flag paving, which had caused widespread corrosion. Replacement of the holed sections was not considered viable due to the extent of corrosion as this would have entailed excavation of much of the church floor to attempt to trace back to sound pipework.

"Exploratory excavation indicated that all the buried pipework was in a similar condition and is therefore unsuitable for reuse in any future heating system.

"With repair of the existing gas fired heating system being unviable for practical reasons and undesirable for environmental reasons, the PC have pressed ahead with their commitment for a more sustainable building."

The proposals will see new outer doors to the south porch which already has internal glass doors, installed in 2007.

"The existing iron gates will be retained, as they open outwards m and will be set in the open position when the church is open to the public," it is stated.

The church's phased replacement of the old heating system will see a low temperature system with electric air source heat pumps and high- efficiency radiators.

The most discrete location identified by the church was the roof of the 1970s extension to the cafe where they will 'not have any impact on the principal public views of the church'.

Different options were also considered for the siting of 36 photovoltaic panels, including the church roof. It is proposed that the 'solar array' is sited on the ground in the north churchyard.

It is stated: "A solar array in this position is the least intrusive on historic fabric and will have the least detrimental effect; it will be sited away from public view, except for anyone venturing towards the railings at the north east corner of the church, when they will be seen side-on."

There was a public meeting at the church to unveil the plans ahead of the application to the council. The church will launch a fundraising appeal if planning is approved.