THE decision to move the Bishop of Bath and Wells out of the ‘modest flat’ within the Bishop’s Palace to a house outside Wells - reportedly costing £700,000 – has come under the spotlight.

MP Tessa Munt has asked the Church Commissioners’ spokesperson in Parliament to explain the move.

She said: “The Church Commissioners made a decision on November 28 that moving the Bishop away from the Bishop’s Palace would help him carry out his ministry and mission with more “privacy”.

“One of the charms of the Palace was the possibility that one might just run into the Bishop or his wonderful wife in the grounds, and in my view, it is a great shame that the chances of being blessed in this way are reduced almost to nothing.”

Ms Munt added: “I hope the Second Church Estates Commissioner, who answers to Parliament, will offer a convincing explanation as to why the Bishop is being moved from our beautiful Bishop’s Palace after 800 years.”