Grantown church vision is embraced by Highland councillors
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The prayers of a Grantown church’s congregation have been answered... by Highland councillors.
Members of the authority’s south area planning committee went against their own planners’ recommendation at their latest meeting to approve £1.1 million transformational plans to put Inverallan Church at the heart of the community.
The surprise decision is a crucial step in the long journey to modernise the parish church.
Council planners had taken issue with proposals to instal solar panels on a prominent roof of the B-listed kirk.
But councillors took a different view, arguing the visual impact is ‘subjective’ and congratulated the congregation for its forward-thinking.
They voted to grant planning permission for the church revamp but to refuse permission for the photovoltaic panels.
This allows the redesign to forge ahead while local planning officers work with the church on a compromise for the solar panels.
The committee was unanimous that turning down a planning application like this one would be ‘catastrophic’ for the sustainability of churches across the Highlands.
Inverallan 20/20 Project spokeswoman Ann Ralston, said: “We are obviously very pleased to have such a positive outcome and would like to thank the councillors for their support for our project.
“We will need to wait to see the detail of the decision and the conditions imposed.
“While we are disappointed not to have had approval for the solar PV panels at this stage. We are committed to this aspect and will take it forward with the planners again.
“We look forward to meeting with them at the earliest opportunity to work towards reaching an acceptable agreement on the location of the panels.
“Now the hard work starts to raise the funds to turn our plans into reality.
“I’m sure the Inverallan congregation and the people of Grantown will be very relieved to know that the future of this beautiful building can now be secured as both a place of worship and a community asset.”
The vision of the Inverallan 20/20 project is to create a place of worship and a multi-functional community venue.
The revamped building will provide a large venue for local events ranging from religious gatherings to public meetings and concerts.
It will also include a social enterprise cafe, meeting rooms and activity spaces, together with accessible toilets, stairs and lift.
It is a plan that has been six years in the making.
But it looked set to be thrown out, as council planners objected to some of the modern additions to the Category B Listed building.
While officers said there is a place for modern technology in heritage spaces, the roof of the church was not that place.
Planners said it would have a detrimental impact both on the church and on the Grantown Conservation Area.
As a compromise, they suggested putting the solar panels on the slope of the nave or on the ground. However, the applicant declined these suggestions.
During the hearing at Inverness headquarters on Tuesday, members pointed out that the preferred roof space is south facing, while the alternative faces north east – not ideal for the elusive Scottish sun.
While councillors were mindful of the building’s heritage, they were clearly keen to find a pragmatic solution.
Councillor Andrew MacKintosh perhaps best summed up the mood of the chamber, stating: “It’s hardly St Giles’ Cathedral. This is an appropriate 21st Century use for a 21st Century building.”
The debate turned to the importance of supporting heritage buildings to remain sustainable.
“If we don’t approve it, buildings like this will fall into disuse and disrepair, and they’ll be a total loss to the local community,” said Councillor Bill Lobban.
He tabled an amendment to grant planning permission, with conditions.
These conditions were to add noise management and ventilation measures, and to decline approval for the solar panels but allow local planning officials to work with the applicant on a compromise.
Other members wanted to go a step further. Councillor Angus MacDonald said it would be 'catastrophic' to refuse.
“I think the proposal looks absolutely fine,” he said. “We’re approving 600 foot high turbines. This is a very green, commendable opportunity.
"We should support the congregation in their ambitions to make their church viable.”
Councillors MacDonald and Chris Ballance tabled their own amendment to grant planning permission in full including the solar panels in their original position.
However, they lost the vote 8-5.
Regardless, the decision allows the Grantown church to press on with its ambitious plans.
