Let there be light... and heat!

At a recent meeting of Mid Suffolk District Council’s cabinet, councillors agreed to award £33,750 of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding to Rattlesden Parochial Church Council for its Rattlesden Church warmth project.

The village’s Grade I listed St Nicholas’ Church already hosts a wide range of activities including toddler sessions, a bereavement group, coffee mornings, concerts, and exhibitions.  But church leaders say it is difficult to keep users warm and comfortable in the historic building – parts of which date back to the 13th century – once cold weather sets in.

The funding will go towards the installation of a nine-chandelier heat and light system – a more environmentally sustainable replacement for its current expensive and inefficient under-seat heaters – transforming the building into a comfortable, warm, and welcoming space for use by the whole community and surrounding parishes.

This award was part of the latest round of CIL funding agreed by cabinet members at Mid Suffolk District Council.  The levy is paid by housing developers to the councils, then earmarked for projects to help local infrastructure keep pace with housing growth, with around £13.6m allocated to local infrastructure projects across the district since May 2018.

Cllr Andrew Stringer, cabinet member for heritage planning and infrastructure at Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “We know the village hall is already at full capacity.  By helping to provide a warmer environment in the church we can help that space to also be used to maximum potential by the local community.

“This is how CIL funding supports our towns and parishes to meet the local needs of their communities – not only looking after physical buildings but also the wellbeing of those who use them.”

The Reverend Sharon Grenham-Thompson, Rector of St Nicholas’ Church, Rattlesden said: “We are delighted that we have received this funding, which will help us to offer our beautiful building as a resource for everyone.

"We work hard to make the church a place of welcome – both physically and spiritually - and we take seriously our role in alleviating loneliness and supporting people in good times and in bad.

"This funding will help us to do even more, all year round, with a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of people of all ages in our community.  I am very grateful to all who have made this possible.”

Cllr Nicky Willshere, Mid Suffolk District Council’s ward councillor for Rattlesden added: “The awarding of this CIL funding to the Rattlesden Church Warmth project is excellent news!”.