Collapse risk sparks urgent repairs to church

Urgent repairs will be carried out on one of Norwich's "grandest" churches which is in danger of partially collapsing into a busy street.

St Gregory's Church dates back to the 14th Century but a report warned parts of the building have badly deteriorated.

While it is no longer used for worship, the building on Pottergate remains in use seven days a week as an antiques centre.

The city council has approved plans to carry out repair work as Norwich Historic Churches Trust warned one of its walls could collapse into St Gregory's Alley.

It is thought that a wooden church may have stood on the site as early as the 11th Century, but the current St Gregory's was built in the mid-14th Century to early 15th Century.

Built out of bricks and flint, a report for the city council has described it as one of the "grandest and most significant" of Norwich's churches.

Along with being noted for its architecture, the report said the building is also "notable for its nationally significant late medieval wall paintings", including a depiction of St George and the Dragon.

It closed as a place of worship in 1971 and while it belongs to the city council, it is managed by the trust.

Applying for permission to carry out repairs, the trust warned that because of weathering and water damage, there was a "direct risk" of the west wall collapsing into the street.

It said the work would be "like-for-like" repairs and that it would secure the future of the church.

Council officers have approved the plans, describing them as "fundamental interventions" to secure the historic building.

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