AMBITIOUS £1 million improvement plans for Bovey Tracey’s Grade I listed parish church are to be unveiled at a public presentation, writes Ellen Grindley.

And an initial fundraising campaign, aiming to raise £50,000 in the next three months, has already been launched to kick-start the project.

Leaders of the church of St Peter, Paul and Thomas have been looking into making substantial improvements for the last seven years.

A year ago, some radical plans were put forward to make the building more accessible but prompted some criticisms.

Now, revisions have been made which include underfloor heating, flexible seating, toilet block and servery and a glass screen in the north aisle to allow small groups to meet inside the church.

The vicar, the Rev Graham Hamilton, explained: ‘We have been considering plans to improve the medieval church building for the last seven years and last October presented some radical plans.

‘We listened carefully to the criticisms and have now produced a revised plan which has won the support of the congregation.

‘The plans will give the building a new lease of life.

‘The congregation is aiming to raise £50,000 by December to pay for the detailed plans by their architect.

‘Once these plans have been given planning permission, we will be aiming to raise about £1 million to pay for the work.’

Architects have drawn up draft plans which feature a sliding, folding screen, new doorway into the vestry, new glazed doors to the tower and new staircase to the bell ringing platform.

More than 120 people helped to launch the fundraising appeal at the church’s harvest festival service followed by a bring and share lunch.

A church has stood on the site for 1,000 years and over the centuries, many changes have been made.

The latest proposals are aiming to make the church more user-friendly and flexible to allow space for groups and classes to meet.

The plans go on show tonight from 7.30pm at the church.