Bath & North East Somerset Council has granted permission for works to be carried out at a Grade II listed church so that a disabled access ramp can be installed.
The Walcot Methodist Church in Bath | Photo © Nigel Jarvis / Shutterstock.com
Before the application was submitted, an options study was carried out by Walcot Methodist Chapel at Nelson Place East where wheelchair users and people with walking problems and vision impairments currently have difficulty entering the building.
There are steps at the main entrance at the upper ground floor level and a steep path to the lower ground floor entrance. Internally there is no lift access between these floors.
Three options for improving disabled access were explored: the first improving the lower ground floor entrance and providing a platform lift; secondly a ramp to the upper ground floor south-west entrance, and thirdly a ramp to the upper ground floor’s main entrance.
The planning report said: “Option 3 was chosen because it brings wheelchair users and disabled people into the building via the main entrance, providing a much more inclusive entrance.”
This option will not significantly alter the internal arrangements of the entrance lobby and removes the need for the temporary metal ramp currently used.
It will ease the difficulties at funerals of carrying the coffin whilst negotiating the main entrance steps or temporary ramp.
A new path will be created from the central path across the grassed lawn, leading to the curved ramp which will provide level access to the main entrance.
It is also proposed to level the step from the public footpath to the central path.
