Clare Priory is one of the oldest religious houses in England; situated in the shadows of Clare Castle on the banks of the River Stour, Suffolk.

Clare Priory is a special site because of its intrinsic loveliness, venerability, and religious and cultural associations.

The church was too small to accommodate the needs of it's congregation and the wrong shape to accommodate the modern liturgy.

Inkpen Downie conducted an exhaustive exploration of the alternatives for enlarging the church. This progressed in a succession of consultations with the planning authorities, and periods of reflection by the church.

Planning permission and Historic Monument Consent were granted by St Edmundsbury District Council.