It can be very helpful to discuss a proposed faculty application with the DAC Secretary before the application is submitted. The applicants can then make sure that all of the information which the DAC is likely to require is submitted with the application, and this will help to minimize any delays in dealing with the proposals. This information should include detailed designs and scale plans and drawings where appropriate.
As well as consulting the DAC Secretary, the PCC is recommended to consult an architect at an early stage if any works are proposed to the fabric of the church. This may be the architect appointed to undertake the quinquennial inspection of the church (who must be on the DAC’s list of architects who are approved to undertake such inspections) or it may be any other architect – the PCC is not limited to using only an architect who is on the approved list for new projects. However, there may be some merit in taking advice from the architect who carried out the most recent quinquennial inspection of the building, as they should be familiar with the building and any structural or other particular issues which may be relevant to the project. Taking advice early on in the project can save much trouble and expense later on.
All faculty applications should initially be submitted to the DAC with a completed Application Form (Faculty – Application to DAC for Certificate). Applications should be accompanied by the necessary supporting information. If in doubt about what information may be needed, consult first with the DAC Secretary. The information required is likely to include the following:
- The PCC resolution and architect’s advice in writing.
- For Building Repairs or Additions the architect’s specification and drawings. These should be professionally prepared, to scale, and give a clear indication of the extent and likely effect of the works proposed
- For Heating, Plumbing and/or Electrical works the architect’s or contractor’s specification and drawings and/or annotated photographs which show the effect of the work. The route of any new pipes or cabling and the manner in which these will be affixed should be clearly shown.
- If the work involves alterations or repairs to specific parts of the fabric or furnishings, such as bells, woodwork, windows or glazing, textiles and so on, guidance should be sought from the DAC Secretary on whether a specialist report should be submitted with the application.
- For Organs details of the history and specification of the existing organ, of any replacement or work to be done.
- For Memorials a scale drawing, precise wording and a sample of lettering, together with a history of the person/s to be remembered in the memorial. (If the proposal is for an internal memorial the application may be in the form of an informal enquiry in the first instance).
- For churchyard alterations a list and plan of the gravestones affected.
- For disposal of articles by sale good quality photographs of the item(s), details of their provenance and a professional valuation.
- For any major proposal or proposals affecting buildings or items of particular significance, the comments of relevant consultees.
- For English Heritage/Heritage Lottery Fund grant aided work a copy of the contract and the English Heritage architect’s report.
- The church insurers’ approval in writing.
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Once the DAC has considered a faculty application, a recommendation will be issued to the applicants, and the papers will be sent by the DAC Secretary to the Diocesan Registrar. The DAC’s recommendation will be contained in a certificate which will recommend one of the following:
- Unconditional approval of the application; or
- Approval of the application subject to conditions; or
- Refusal of the application
The Registrar will then forward a formal Petition to the applicants (see Form 2 below), together with some public notices (see Form 3 below), inviting the applicants to return the Petition to the Registry for formal consideration by the Chancellor or the Archdeacon after the notices have been displayed for at least 28 days. The applicants are invited to display public notices of the proposed Petition inside and outside the parish church, and when the Petition is sent in to the Registry it should be accompanied by a certificate confirming that these notices have been displayed for the required period (see Form 3 below). This requirement allows third parties the opportunity to comment on proposals. Comments are submitted to the Diocesan Registrar, who then forwards them, with the petition and the supporting papers from the DAC, to the Chancellor for a decision to be made. The faculty can then be issued, subject to the Chancellor’s views, and the works can be undertaken. When the works have been completed, a certificate to confirm completion is returned to the Registrar’s office (see Form 6 below).
Useful Forms
The following commonly used forms may be useful to parishes in the faculty process
Form 2 – Petition for Faculty
Form 3 – Public Notice
Form 6 – Certificate of Completion of Works
Note that these forms are blank templates, and of course the relevant details will need to be completed in each case. These forms apply to ordinary faculty applications; different forms may be required for applications involving works to trees, or for private applications, e.g. for reservation of a grave space. If in doubt, please consult the Registrar’s office for guidance.
