AN ‘essential facility’ which worshippers in St Giles Church, Bradford on Tone, have managed without for more than 720 years could soon be provided.

The parochial church council (PCC) has submitted a planning application to build a detached toilet on the north side of the church tower.

The toilet will cater for the congregation of St Giles, which was built in about 1300 and is a grade two starred listed building, as well as for function users and parishioners.

The ‘facility’ will end the need for worshippers who are ‘caught short’ to make the 100-yard walk in all weathers to and from the village hall.

Planning agent Andrew Hayes, of Court Design and Conservation, Taunton, said: “For many years, the church has relied on access to the village hall to use their toilet facilities.

“However, recently the PCC have been reassessing this situation with regard to safeguarding issues.

“It is also becoming increasing difficult for some more infirm users of the church to make the long walk to and from the church and village hall to use their toilets, particularly in poor weather.”

Mr Hayes said the interior of the church had been assessed to see if there was a suitable location for a toilet but the plan was ‘very much open with no free space to add a toilet cubicle’ without negatively impacting ‘the internal character and special significance of the church’.

The historic fabric of the church would be harmed by inserting drains in the floors and ventilation pipes through walls, while there was no suitable private space to use the toilet.

Mr Hayes said the lobby has been dismissed because it would interfere with the west door access used for wedding processions and functions.

The only solution was a small detached outside building close to tower and to the west of the north aisle.

Mr Hayes said the PCC had identified the lack of toilet facilities as a barrier which discouraged use of the church.

The PCC said visitors to the church could use its tea and coffee making facilities, so there should be toilet facilities.

The church is open daily for the local community and visitors, and the toilet would also be available to all each day.

A lack of toilet facilities discouraged the holding of large services and events and made it difficult to manage life event services,

The PCC also pointed to safeguarding issues if the village hall was being used by children or vulnerable adults but hirers had to allow the public to use its toilets.

It said a monthly coffee morning was held to encourage more use of the church outside of services, and visitors and community were encouraged to stay and read a book or do a jigsaw puzzle during the week.

Yet, there were no public toilets in Bradford on Tone.

A PCC spokesperson said: “We aim to treat everybody as equal, a toilet is a basic necessity these days.

“Toilet facilities will enable the church to have more community use, and to hold a variety of events.”