Oakham Baptist Church Seeks Expansion, Plans Archaeological Dig, "missing Royal" buried beneath Rutland County Council's owned car park?

Oakham Baptist Church Seeks Expansion, Plans Archaeological Dig

Oakham Baptist Church is seeking permission to build two extensions on their current facility, aiming to better serve the community. The church, a longstanding pillar of Oakham's social scene, offers a space for various activities, ranging from community lunches to support groups for those struggling with cocaine addiction.

The proposed expansion, however, faces a historical hurdle. The designated area for the extensions is currently the church's garden of remembrance. If planning permission is granted, the project would necessitate an archaeological dig and the respectful removal of any remains. These remains would then be cremated and reburied within a designated area of the churchyard, marked by a commemorative plaque.

It is believed the site might hold a family vault and potentially even deeper burials, possibly reaching four layers. This is because during the 1800s, the small plot functioned as a burial ground, before legislation that mandated burials within Church of England cemeteries was changed.

The Baptist Church's own history with burials is intertwined with local disputes. When the church initially obtained the right to conduct burials in their churchyard in the 1800s, it sparked protests within the community.

Furthermore, the church's graveyard originally extended outwards, encompassing a section of the current Westgate Car Park. The Council acquired this land many years ago for approximately £400. Notably, during the car park's resurfacing, no exhumation efforts were undertaken. The headstones from this acquired land were simply relocated around the remaining Baptist Church garden.

This historical detail has sparked curiosity among some, leading to questions about the possibility of a "missing Royal" buried beneath Rutland County Council's owned car park. While the notion is intriguing, it remains purely speculative at this point. It would be nice to have another tourist attraction here in Oakham.

The Oakham Baptist Church's expansion plans, while aiming to serve the community better, undoubtedly come with a layer of historical sensitivity. The archaeological dig, if approved, could potentially unearth valuable insights into Oakham's past. As for the possibility of a royal slumbering beneath the Westgate car park, only time – and perhaps future excavations – will tell.

If you would like to inspect or comment on the planning application please visit Rutland County Councils planning portal.

https://publicaccess.rutland.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=SBMOGENNK4Z00&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0Ksy0I4UtDShpwhNMxJr9M_e5J0WSzE7XjucNheepN5qTYQSP3vZU5-YM_aem_AUOFNs91y5QA9DycGRN4Vh3PbNqAOolzQmVcmfDZcJk7UBFjY373Q3JUw_6e3Luw_N3CNPAuKYfpys2vtRH9Dqxp