A RUINED 16th century county church is set to become an unusual home after moves to declare its religious use redundant were approved, writes JONATHAN LAND.

The removal of human remains from graves around Holy Trinity Church, Brockhampton, has not been deemed necessary, however, after Home Secretary Jack Straw passed a special Pastoral measure.

Boundary wall

The Bishop of Hereford, the Rt. Rev. John Oliver, has now directed that some of the tombstones, monuments and memorials within the property be removed.

They are to be placed against the inside boundary wall, as near as possible to their present locations.

Holy Trinity Church has not been used since 1902 when the thatched All Saints Church, designed by Lethaby, was built in the centre of the village.

Plans to turn the ruins into a house, granted planning permission by South Herefordshire District Council in 1996, include retaining the tower walls and nave of the church, which is made of decorated stone.

Substantial work, overseen by the Diocesan Board of Finance, must be completed, however, before the church becomes habitable.

The Holy Trinity register runs from 1578 to 1902, but it is believed to have been in use before that date.

In 1991 an attempt was made to find financial support to preserve the church but none was forthcoming.

A notice giving a plan of the churchyard showing details of the tombstones and monuments affected along with the directions made by the Bishop and a statement of the rights of the relatives of the deceased can be inspected at Holy Trinity Church until October 5.

Anyone wishing to exercise rights must give notice in writing to Jane Yule, Wayfarer's Cottage, St Weonards, Herefordshire HR2 8NT by the above date.