Before you commit to buying a church, it is essential to have a survey undertaken and look in to any planning matters.
It is essential to get a full structural and condition survey of the church, so you know exactly what you'll be taking on. This should be undertaken by a surveyor or architect who is experienced in the care and repair of historic churches. Such buildings have often been badly maintained and common problems include wet and dry rot, which is costly to fix. Make sure you obtain the full costs of conversion, plus recommended repairs, from the surveyor or a specialist builder, so you can budget accordingly.
Redundant churches are subject to normal planning, listed building and conservation area controls. Planning permission is usually required for a change of use, so contact the local planning officer to discuss your proposals, which will also need to be approved by the Church in the case of an Anglican building. Employ an architect to draw up detailed plans and deal with the various officials involved. If the church has a Grade 1 listing, be prepared for the long haul, as not only listed building consent will be needed for any alterations, but English Heritage will also need to approve everything. The quality of professional advice, both for the repair and conversion, will be critical to the project's success.
Covenants and rights of access are part and parcel of buying a church. Your solicitor will be able to check exactly what these entail and how much they impinge on daily life. Common covenants include ones ensuring the building is only used for authorised purposes, but fortunately ones prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in former Methodist chapels are rare nowadays!
If there's burial ground attached to or bordering your property, it's likely that parishioners will have a right of access to the graveyard, so consider whether this lack of privacy will bother you.
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