The Victorian Society has objected to renovation plans for the Grade II-listed All Saints’ Church, Ryde.

The present plans propose removing the building’s historic, tiled floor and losing most of the church’s historic seating.

Both the floor and the seating were specified by Sir George Gilbert Scott as part of his design for the church, and, it is claimed, their loss would seriously impact the building’s special architectural interest.

Initially, the plans proposed replacing the historic tiled floor with a polished concrete finish, and removing all the historic bench seating.

Later amendments then proposed the retention of the floor, as well as the seating in the aisles. However, the most recently submitted plans revert to pursuing the replacement of the historic floor, despite the fact that its retention would not impinge on the uses envisaged for the reordered interior.

The society has lodged its objection in the Portsmouth Consistory Court, which controls changes to churches and churchyards.

All Saints’ Church was designed and built by Scott between 1867 and 1872, with the imposing tower and spire added by the architect’s son, John Oldrid Scott, in 1881-82.