Controversial plans to build a flat roof extension on a quaint 14th century village Church in Wellow will be decided this week.

Parishioners say that St Julian’s Church in Wellow needs a small extension with toilets and a kitchen, with worshippers currently having to use a plastic portable toilet outside, but there are fears the extension will scar the Grade I listed church’s historic tower.

Bath and North East Somerset Council’s planning committee will decide whether to grant planning permission on Wednesday. The Council’s planning staff had recommended that permission for the extension be refused but Ward Councillor Matt McCabe intervened to bring the matter to the planning committee.

He said: “It is vital that Churches remain living places at the heart of their communities, and are not turned into museum pieces, or dead buildings, through a misguided need to preserve them exactly as they are.

“Old Churches have been changed over the years, mainly to reflect the spiritual aspirations of wealthy benefactors. Today they need to adapt to the needs of the congregation and to other users, if they are to last hundreds more years as living, community spaces, as well as places of worship.”

But the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings said that plans to cut a new doorway to the extension through the tower were “concerning.”

It said: “The masonry here is some of the earliest in the building, so it is imperative that the harm is kept to an absolute minimum. Therefore, all viable and less harmful alternative options must be fully explored first.”

Historic England said that building an external toilet block should be considered.

There is support for the plans among the Church’s congregation, however. About twenty worshippers regularly attend services at the Church and many feel that updated facilities are key to attracting more people.

Julian Wyld, who has been a parishioner of the Church for more than forty years, wrote in support of the application: “We love the Church. It is a rare gem, but it is hard to provide for its upkeep. We are always looking for ways to fundraise and often want to hold events in the Church.

“This is very difficult with no adequate facilities.”

Another supporter, Edward Paskell, wrote: “It seems unusual that after centuries of continued development and alteration in service of the community at whose heart it sits, the Church may be at risk of not being enhanced to continue to serve and benefit its modern community.”

He added: “The proposed development is low-key and low-impact, replacing some overgrown bushes in an unused corner of the peace garden, and would resolve the need for a highly visible blue plastic [toilet] in the grounds.”

The planning application is one of four that will be discussed by Bath and North East Somerset Council’s planning committee at the Bath Guildhall at 11am on Wednesday.

LDRS, John Wimperis.