Residents of Batheaston, a village near Bath, are urging the Bishop of Clifton to grant them the opportunity to purchase the Church of the Good Shepherd before it is demolished. This striking brutalist church, built in 1967, stands out with its bold, angular design amidst the village’s Georgian architecture. While opinions have long been divided—some dubbing it the “village joke” and others valuing it as a significant historical landmark—the church has now been locally listed for its architectural importance.
The Church of the Good Shepherd closed its doors in 2020, and the Diocese of Clifton has received planning permission to replace it with four residential homes. In response, local residents have launched a petition calling on Bishop Bosco MacDonald to give the community first option to buy the site, allowing up to six months to develop plans that honor the church’s spirit and serve local interests.
Petition initiator Sasha Laskey emphasized the church’s role as a symbol of unity and community spirit, stating, “This site has fostered bonds of belonging, trust, respect, and pride for over 50 years. We seek to preserve these values while shaping a new chapter for the village.”
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Despite support within the village for redevelopment, many are concerned that the proposed housing will alter Batheaston’s character. Over 120 objections have been submitted against the housing plan, with only one letter in support. Batheaston Parish Council and local councillor Sarah Warren pushed for consideration by the planning committee, but planning officers ultimately approved the demolition without a vote.
Designed by Bath architect Martin Fisher—also the creative mind behind St Peter and Paul’s in Combe Down—the church features poured concrete blocks and an unconventional square roof that slopes toward the south-east, evoking the image of a pilgrim’s tent. Instead of traditional stained glass, the church uses Kalwall panels, which create a muted concrete-like exterior but reveal colorful patterns when lit from inside.
Following the demolition proposal, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s conservation expert Caroline Power criticized the applicants for undervaluing the church’s architectural significance. She successfully secured the church’s status as a non-designated heritage asset, stating: “It is a landmark that contributes to the locality’s character and should be preserved. Redevelopment plans should explore ways to incorporate the building rather than demolish it.”
The Church of the Good Shepherd is also notable as the first Catholic church in the area constructed after Vatican II reforms, embracing the brutalist style that would later influence the design of Clifton Cathedral in Bristol, which holds Grade II* listed status.