Knowle Parish Church has unveiled plans for a major £4 million redevelopment project aimed at making the historic building more accessible, sustainable and better suited to community use.

The Grade I listed church, which has stood at the heart of Knowle for more than 600 years, is seeking approval for a series of changes as part of its "For Future Generations" project.

Church leaders say the plans are designed to help the building meet the needs of modern worshippers and the wider community while preserving its historic significance.

Despite its medieval origins, much of the church's current appearance dates from later periods.

Large parts of the interior, including the pews, altar woodwork and many stained-glass windows, were added during the Victorian era, while features such as the organ, pulpit and soldiers' chapel date from the early 20th century.

Under the proposals, the church would receive new seating, heating and lighting, alongside level access throughout the building for the first time.

Plans also include reopening and enlarging a 15th-century doorway on the north side of the church and constructing a welcome annexe with catering facilities and accessible toilets.

One of the most talked-about elements of the project is the removal of the existing pews.

Church representatives said the pews were installed in the 1860s after Knowle became a parish church and secured funding to increase seating capacity.

A spokesperson for the church said: "The emphasis was on maximising the grant by squeezing as many pews in as possible, but limited funds meant that the pews selected were fairly basic machine-made ones.

"The upright backs and limited distance between the pews makes them quite uncomfortable to sit in for any length of time."

The church says the pews also create difficulties for people using mobility aids and parents with buggies.

Under the plans, they would be replaced with movable chairs similar to those found in many cathedrals, while efforts would be made to sell the Latvian oak pews so they can continue to be used elsewhere.

The project has an estimated budget of just over £4 million, with around 75% of the funding already raised by the congregation.

Further grant applications are expected once approvals are secured and costs are finalised.

A formal application has now been submitted to the Diocesan Advisory Council, with planning applications expected to follow in the coming months.