Church leaders in Grantown praying for support for ambitious plans to save Inverallan kirk
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Long running plans costing £1.1m to put a historic church at the heart of the community in Grantown are in jeopardy because of a row over proposals to mount solar panels on the listed building.
Highland Council planners say they can not agree to the use of solar panels in a prominent position on Inverallan church's roof.
The report that goes before the authority's South Area Planning committee makes it clear that the council supports the ambitious vision of the kirk.
Church leaders, elders and worshippers have worked for years on the Inverallan 20/20 vision to modernise the building to ensure that it has a viable future.
The project team is urging for common-sense to prevail when the application to transform the church on the town's Grant Road is considered by Highland councillors at Inverness headquarters.
Elders have warned that the church – which would continue as a place of worship – could be forced to close altogether if the planning commitee agree with the planning officer's recommendation to refuse planning permission.
The proposal is for a multi-functional community venue that still retains its ecclesiastical functions.
The kirk hopes to provide a flexible space for worship, community events and even concerts.
The revamped building will also include a social enterprise cafe, meeting rooms and activity spaces, together with accessible toilets, stairs and lift.
So far, so good – but the proposal to add photovoltaic panels has caused a problem.
Highland Council’s historic environment team has said that modern technology has a key role in making historic buildings more efficient and sustainable.
However, they say this technology should be 'carefully and discreetly located'.
Instead, the Inverallan church plans include 20kV photovoltaic panels on the most prominent southwest facing roof slope.
The planning report says these would cover half of that section of roof. Planners say this is out of keeping with the Category B listed building, and the wider Grantown-on-Spey Conservation Area.
Other options could be to put the PV panels on the slope of the nave or on the ground. However, the planning report says the applicant was unwilling to change their plans.
With the Inverallan church plan looking set to be rejected, local councillors referred it to south planning committee for further consideration.
For the kirk and its very modern mission, tomorrow's meeting could be the answer to their prayers.
To be blunt....
Ann Ralston, who is on the Inverallan 20/20 steering group and a church elder, said: "To be blunt about it, we have to put the solar panels where the sun shines otherwise it would not be cost effective for us.
"We are very disappointed that Highland Council does not seem to have taken anything out of the Glasgow COP conference.We are trying to do our best to go into renewables to save money and the planet and our plans are recommended for refusal."
She said the solar panels were 'crucial' to the economic viability of the entire project.
"The bottom line is that if we can not produce a project that will sustain the building then it will have to close which is dreadful for the community," said Ms Ralston.
"The church would have to meet in a different building and Inverallan would have to be put up for sale or left derelict. We are trying to ensure the viability of a beautiful building. I sincerely hope the planning committee will see sense."
She said alternative renewable energy sources had been considered – and air source heat pumps are planned to help heat the building – but the figures did not stack up.
Ms Ralston said they were going for the lowest profile solar panels available and they would only be seen from Grant Road and not the main Church Avenue approach.
The intention is to generate as much energy – including storage – as possible for the church's own use.
Local Highland councillor John Bruce is supporting the application and said: "There needs to be a change in thinking. It has been noted that energy problems south of the border have allowed solar panels on listed buildings.
"I understand the energy required for Inverallan Church makes it essential to have solar panels so that the church can operate to a usable standard."
So far £162,000 has been raised for Inverallan 20/20 including regular monthly donations from congregation members and one-off donations while
fundraising events such as pop-up shops and have raised a further £27,000.
Other income including from grants and reclaiming Gift Aid amounts to £80,000.
The building design team, business consultant team and project funding officer have been paid from this income and the remainder will go to kick start the project subject to planning approval.
What is in store should project get the green light?
The application for the Inverallan 20/20 project is for alterations to the Category B Listed church to create:
• flexible sanctuary space for contemporary ministry use, and suitable for concerts and community events (180-200 seats) including removal of pews;
• social enterprise café with 30 covers and café terrace;
• internal meeting rooms and activity spaces for church use community clubs and activities along with toilets, stairs and lift.
The proposal to transform Inverallan Church – built between 1884 and 1886 – into a 21st Century community hub was first mooted around six years ago.
