St John Maddermarket church has repairs approved by council

St John Maddermarket, in Pottergate, requires important work to its south wall and an application was submitted on June 26.

Although it was acknowledged in the plans pedestrians could be at risk should the work not be carried out on the Grade I listed building as soon as possible, there were still some objections.

One objector said the repair "seems like a very costly solution" and was "excessive for a short stretch of wall".

The repairs for the church were approved despite some backlash (Image: Archant)

The objector added that the city council should reconsider the proposal and "plan a more permanent and long-term solution" by creating a new area of open space in the graveyard which could "transform a part of the city".

Another said it would be better "if the wall was removed and the gardens sensitively remodelled" suggesting the area could then have outdoor seating and dining areas.

They added that "this would be a much better spend of the quite large budget" which has been allocated for the work.

READ MORE: Fed up neighbours call on police to take action against anti-social parking

However despite the backlash the council approved the plans. 

The council recently confirmed the area will be closed from August 27 to October 4 for work to be carried out (Image: Newsquest)

In its decision the council said that while "the proposal offers a level of harm to the overall significance of the churchyard, this is mitigated by the requirement to structurally repair the wall and will contribute to its long-term conservation".

READ MORE: Council spend £21K on bins that haven't been emptied for THREE WEEKS

The council recently confirmed the area will be closed from August 27 to October 4 for the work to be carried out.

A full road closure from Dove Street to St Andrews Street will be enforced by Norfolk County Council from Monday to Friday, between 9am to 4pm.

While a church is thought to have been built at the site in the 11th century, the heritage building which sits in the heart of the lanes today dates back to the 14th century.

St John Maddermarket Church in Pottergate (Image: Newsquest)