The Ordnance Survey has issued a  press release (14 May 2003) confirming that it is to remove symbols identifying churches and chapels from maps if the building is no longer used for worship - unless they are needed for navigational purposes (for example, have a spire). However, the press release points out that this has been their policy for some time, a surprise  to many. Thus ends a week of confusion and controversy.

17 May. It is now clear that for churches the proposal initially was to replace the identification of current places of worship with a legend which no longer acknowledged their ecclesiastical purpose.  This comprised replacing the 'circle and cross' icon for church with spire, with a new icon representing a "building with spire; minaret or dome", and the 'square and cross' for church with tower, with an icon defined as "building with tower". For churches with neither a tower or spire the proposal was to completely remove these from the map. The revisions were being proposed for the 1:25,000 series initially but would in due course have followed through to all their mapping series.

Click on the links below for details

History of this page (2003)

Update 17 May. Further info available about the original proposal.
Update 16 May. Press release from Ordnance Survey
Update 14 May. Ordnance Survey did not initially consult with EH or CBA.
Update 13 May. An email from the Ordnance Survey (received 12 May) confirms their plans:
Created 10 May based on reports in the Times

Links

Press release from Ordnance Survey - dated 14 may

A splendid, short letter to The Times 14 May 2003

Letter to The Times from Chief Executive, Ordnance Survey 12 May 2003

Comment article from Kevin Myers in the Sunday Telegraph of 11 May 2003

Comment article from Simon Jenkins in The Times of 9 May 2003 (who misunderstood the proposal to mean all churches).

News item from The Times of 8 May 2003
 

Entry created 10 May 2003
Updated 11, 14, 16, 17 May 2003