Church's colour causes money row

Rev Gareth Griffiths said he hoped a compromise could be met

A 700-year-old church could lose out on £98,000 worth of restoration funding unless it is turned white in colour.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has earmarked money for St Mary's Parish Church, Rhuddlan, Denbighshire.

But it will only release the funding if the building is washed with lime, which it said would protect from damp and was in keeping with the original building.

Vicar Gareth Griffiths said residents were opposed and queried why castles were not being limewashed as well.

It is thought a limewash would leave the church building white, which Rev Griffiths said was not in keeping with other buildings nearby, including Rhuddlan Castle.

If Cadw want everything restored to its original state, why aren't they lime washing their castles as well? Rev Gareth Griffiths

Before earmarking the money, HLF consulted Cadw, the historic buildings body, which recommended a lime wash.

Cadw confirmed that the protective properties of the limewash would leave the building white - its colour in the past.

It said the HLF were not obliged to follow its guidance, and the final decision on whether to release funding rested with the HLF.

Jennifer Stewart, head of HLF in Wales said Cadw and the church's project architect had advised that a lime coating would protect the building and would be in keeping with the "original use of lime in the area".

She added: "All parties agreed that, without the light lime coating, the church would remain damp and its conservation needs would not be met.

Rev Griffiths said a white church would stand out from the town's castle

"If the conservation needs of the church are not addressed, HLF would not be able to support the project.

"We are now in discussion with the minister to come to a solution that meets all conservation needs and ensures that the £98,000 earmarked by HLF for the church, can be rolled out."

But Rev Griffiths said: "What do they mean by a light coating?

"I'm not an expert, I'm a parish priest. I have got local people here who love the town and its heritage.

"The people of Rhuddlan don't want a white church.

"We acknowledge that the church may have been lime-washed in the past, but if Cadw want everything restored to its original state, why aren't they limewashing their castles as well?"

He added: "We were thinking that if someone from Cadw or the Lottery Heritage Fund could come out and meet us on site and look at the situation, perhaps we could reach some sort of compromise."

A Cadw spokesman said it was common to limewash churches in the Middle Ages and it often recommended lime washing early churches in the "interest of historical authenticity and of safeguarding the physical fabric of the church".