Local vicarage leads to Synod question

Blog readers will have followed my anger at the pulling down of the vicarage in Cashes Green (use search facility to see previous entries and photos) - as a result the Diocese kindly invited me to speak at one of their meetings top explain more - see 23rd May blog - and that has led to a question to the Synod - see below - not quite the commitment I am seeking but a step towards significant improvements. There is still the question of other properties they are developing on their land. I enclose also below my note to the Church seeking the best way forward on that.

Gloucester Diocesan Synod: 13th June 2007

Question: "Hearing that the Diocese of Chester has built a new carbon-neutral vicarage in Bramwell near Stockport, I would like to know why this diocese has not done the same with the new vicarage in Cainscross."

Answer: "The property in question is in the village of Bramhall, Cheshire and was built by the Diocese of Chester incorporating a number of sustainable construction features – specifically, voltaic solar panels on the roof and a grey water recycling system. It is not, however, carbon neutral. The Houses Committee adopted an Environmental Policy in December 2006, committing the Diocese to the adoption of best practice in sustainable construction wherever practicable. To date this has entailed: the installation of condensing boilers; high standards of insulation; the use of low energy lighting; water saving measures; the use of re-cycled materials and of locally sourced building supplies.

"The new vicarage at Cainscross adheres to these principles, although the scope of what can be achieved to produce a carbon neutral building is limited by other uses on the site and the presence of existing service infrastructure from the previous development. Nevertheless, the new house does incorporate new features, such as rainwater harvesting, high insulation values and underfloor heating.

"For the future, the Property Department is looking at further innovations including solar panels, wind turbines, solar tubes etc. Designs for a new vicarage at Bream incorporate a ground source heat exchange pump. We will continue to explore other sustainability features within the constraints of limited financial resources and what is practicable to impose on incumbents in order to move closer to a neutral carbon footprint."

There was also a supplementary question on the monitoring of energy consumption in vicarages which did not elicit a very definite answer. Full minutes of synod should eventually appear here: http://www.glosdioc.org.uk/Home/Reports/reports.htm

Follow-up note to Church: Just a note to thank Jim and others for pushing this issue and for letting me speak at your meeting. It is very positive that more is happening re vicarages but I am still concerned about other properties that are developed on land owned or sold by the church. What ways can we work to best bring about the change needed? I would welcome your thoughts about what the next step should be.

Lastly congrats on the 'Measuring the Footprint' work - let us hope that leads to significant changes. All the best - Philip