Trouble in the aisles

Critics say the changes will make little difference

An announcement that some historic churches in the east Midlands are to be regraded has been criticised by church authorities.

Twelve churches in Lincolnshire and two in Leicestershire are to become Grade I listed buildings to reflect their cultural and architectural significance.

But the Diocese of Lincoln has dismissed the move as almost meaningless.

And some churches are reported to be annoyed at the implication they needed upgrading.

This just seems like the government trying to benefit from an increase in interest in parish churches

Rosemary Watts, diocesan tourism officer

On Monday the government announced it was to give the highest protected status to 150 churches and cathedrals nationwide.

The Grade I listing gives buildings extra protection from unsuitable development or alteration.

The government insists it also gives the churches a better chance of getting grants for repairs.

But this has been disputed by the Lincoln diocese.

'No extra funding'

Rosemary Watts, the diocesan church tourism officer, said: "All the churches already carried an older type of listing, an A.

"All that has happened is this new system has been applied to them and it by no means leads to extra funding.

"We have had churches lose out on grants very recently.

Grants available

"Lincolnshire is the place to come for historic churches and some of them are angry at the implication they needed upgrading.

"This just seems like the government trying to benefit from an increase in interest in parish churches."

A spokesman for the Department of Culture Media and Sport said: "Many grants are only available to Grade I listed buildings and it was simply a move to make sure these churches were not disadvantaged."

The churches regraded are: St James' in Louth; St Mary's in Winthorpe near Skegness; St Denys' in Sleaford; St Mary and St Nicolas in Spalding; St Peter and St Paul's in Bourne; St Wulfrum's in Grantham; St Martin's, St Mary's, St John the Baptist, St George's, All Saints in Stamford and All Saints in Gainsborough.

In Leicestershire they are the church of St Dionysius in Market Harborough and the Parish Church of St Mary in Melton Mowbray .