A Herefordshire church has been told it can keep its outside loo, despite opposition from a conservation official.

St Andrew & St Mary’s Church, How Caple, north of Ross-on-Wye, had sought permission in July for the toilet, which was installed in 2018, along with a timber frame around it, now partly screened with shrubs, and a drainage system described as a “self-contained macerator and tank”.

The council’s building conservation officer Conor Ruttledge said the toilet “has an overbearing and incongruous presence”, and “fails to preserve the setting” of the adjacent grade II* listed church, which dates from the 14th century.

No heritage statement or archaeological assessment had been submitted with the application, he pointed out, adding: “Any harm caused to archaeological or burial remains cannot be reversed.

“Unfortunately local authority heritage pre-application advice was not sought prior to this submission, so views or suggestions on less harmful locations could not be provided.”

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However planning officer Simon Rowles said it was “a significant material consideration” that the toilet had been in place for at least four years.

“Accordingly, whilst noting the objection raised by the council’s historic buildings officer and the sensitive landscape setting of the development, no enforcement action could be taken to remedy any perceived harm arising,” he concluded.

The case is in marked contrast to that of St Matthew’s Church, Marstow, also in the south of the county. Here Mr Ruttledge also voiced his concern at the siting of an outdoor toilet by the historic listed church, though this was a more recent addition.

On that occasion, Herefordshire Council granted it temporary permission, but insisted it be completely removed within three years.