There followed 25 years of lost opportunities, disappointments and decay. The building was soon put up for sale and provoked much interest. It was proposed that the site be cleared to allow for 20 houses, but there were so many objections that it was rejected following a public inquiry. The Frome and District Civic Society was formed in April 1970, largely as a result of threats to the chapel, and it proposed that the building be converted into a hail for social functions and public assemblies. Unfortunately the then Frome Urban District Council decided to use some money, that could have been made available for the chapel, on a modern dance hail facility that has since closed ignominiously.

In 1973 the chapel was sold to a development company which applied for planning permission for conversion to six suites of offices. This was refused by the newly created Mendip District Council so the building was sold and resold.

By 1983, despite despite the fact that it was listed Grade 1, its condition had continued to deteriorate because of repeated break-ins by vandals and general neglectful ownership. As the premier building-at-risk in Somerset, it was decided to serve a Repairs Notice on the

owners under the old Section 115. As this was not complied with, the building was acquired by compulsory purchase.

Before this Notice was served there was much discussion between the local authorities and the Somerset Building Preservation Trust about ways to repair the chapel and convert it for use by the public. It was agreed that the County Council would acquire the building and pass it on to the Trust for a nominal sum. The Trust would then carry out the repairs by complying with the terms of the Repairs Notice before handing it on to Mendip District for an agreed price. They in turn would fit it out for further use by the people of Frome.

The County Council served the Repairs Notice and acquired the chapel in 1990, passing it on to the Trust in March 1991. Grant aid was offered by English Heritage, Mendip District Council and Frome Town Council, but there was still a large deficit on estimated project costs of £250,000. The Architectural Heritage Fund offered a low-interest loan of £100,000 and a public appeal was launched which raised £65,000 for the Trust.

Work started in October 1992 on underpinning the foundations, grouting

the rubble walls, repairing ashlar stone, repairing the roof joinery and replacing its plain tile covering. The windows were reglazed and the new plaster dome installed. Burials beneath the floor caused particular problems because they were multi-layered and very close to areas of underpinning. Where remains were found these were put into small caskets and reinterred under the new floor following a service of dedication.

Work was completed in August 1993 by Meihuish and Saunders of Wells for about £270,000. The project was supervised by Andrew Lowe of Plincke, Leaman and Browning (architects) and Kenneth Brown (structural engineer).

The lesson to be learnt from this case is that a Trust needs a way out from a project in these recessionary times. Before the Repairs Notice was served, an agreement had been reached with Mendip to acquire the chapel for a given price at the end of the repair programme. The District Council now intends to press ahead with a landscaping and floodlighting scheme and fit the building out over the next two years.

Robert Ladd is Conservation Manager for Mendip District Council

Rook Lane Chapel in March 1991.

And in 1993 after restoration.

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