Father Peter Stodart, parish priest of St Augustine's, said volunteers understood the council's concerns.

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Parish councillor Peter Byham feared there could be a "catastrophic failure" to the quay if work did not start soon.

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As well as being a parish church, St Peter's serves as a church for important civic events in the life of the city.

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Peter Clifford, chairman of Chilton Parish Council, said he was "surprised" at the news and the developer had a "good relationship with residents" and was "within inches of drawing up a masterplan".

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