A RUINED Hereford church looks set to be sold off by the Diocese of Hereford.

The old church of St Peter in Bullinghope was largely demolished in the 1880s after authorisation was given in December 1880 following the building and consecration of the new parish church of St Peter in April that year.

The replacement came after the old church had fallen into decay, says an explanatory note published this month by the Church of England Commissioners as part of a proposal to sell off the ruins and annexed land.

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A consultation on the proposed scheme is currently open, and will run until January 3, 2025.

The proposals say the ruins in Bullinghope, on the edge of south Hereford, are believed to date to the 12th century, with parts of the north, south, and east church walls remaining standing. The walls are grade II listed and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

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The site also includes the former churchyard, now laid to lawn. There are no marked graves, but ancient burials are believed to be present and covenants imposed in the sale will prevent their disturbance.

The neighbouring former vicarage was sold by the commissioners in 1967, documents said, but now the owners of the vicarage want to bring the two sites together with the purchase of the ruined church.

It is planned that the site will be used as a monument and a garden, the proposals said.

Further information about the proposals may be obtained by e-mail at adrian.browning@churchofengland.org

Representations should be sent to: Matthew Crowe, Pastoral and Closed Churches, Church Commissioners, Church House, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3AZ, or by e-mail to: matthew.crowe@churchofengland.org