Lights could go out at historic Grantown church if solar panels not approved
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The future of Grantown’s historic Inverallan Church could be at stake - and all for the sake of a dispute over solar powered panels to heat the old building.
Kirk leaders have come back with a planning application for alterations and installation of in-roof PV panels on the listed building a year after their bid was rejected on appeal by a Scottish Reporter.
Church spokeswoman Ann Ralston said: “This is likely to be our final application and the long-term use of the building as a viable venue depends on the application being successful.
“If we are unable to go ahead with the solar panels and the battery storage then the heating system for the building becomes unaffordable.
“If this is the case then it would not just be the project that would fail but the church building would have to close when funds ran out.
“I’m sure no one in the strath would want to see this happen but that is the reality of the situation.
“We would also encourage anyone who does support us to make their views known to Highland Council’s planning service.”
Two planning support statements - totalling more than 100 pages - have been submitted along with the application to local authority planners
It states: “The starting point for this difficult decision must be acknowledged as being that this is an old stone building with outdated and extremely inefficient and expensive heating system.
“When built, the church was fit for purpose given the presbyterian traditions of worship which included long sermons intended to be a sufferance for the congregation to understand the bible’s teachings.
“The church was not built for today’s purposes with comfort and warmth being higher on the agenda.
“Even though oil heating was subsequently installed this has become increasingly inefficient and costly given the height and scale of the building.
“The existing congregation are driven to encourage ongoing worship and community use which is unachievable without the provision of modern comfort being provided in a cost-effective way.
“The congregation is not cash rich and has to date been reliant upon grants and loans to get to this stage in their attempt to secure the future for their church building.
“This is all being undertaken as required by the local congregation with no funding available through the Church of Scotland. They have been keen to raise funding through whatever means available to them.”
The report also points out: “Contrary to the references by the council and the Reporter to Grant Road being the main approach to the Church, this is in fact along the appropriately and historically named Church Avenue…
“One has only to attend or observe any Sunday service or other key event at the church to note that the principal approach is from Church Avenue…
The report states that view are mainly from Grant Road and ‘any views would be extremely short and fleeting’.
The applicants argue that they would not have the level of impact previously suggested by the council or the Reporter.
They state the go-ahead for the PV panels is integral and essential for the Inverallan 20/20 and meeting net zero targets.
The report states: “The successful implementation of these projects is fundamental to the future of this Category B listed building both as a community use and avoiding risk of redundancy in the future.
“The proposed PV panels are fully compatible with the special architectural and historic interest and fully respect the character and appearance of the Grantown Conservation Area.
“Also of importance, contrary to the assertions of the Council, the applicant has fully explored all options for installation of a climate friendly efficient energy and heating system.
“Simply put, the future of this listed building in a viable ongoing use for the benefit of the local community and securing net zero unequivocally outweighs any perceived comparatively minor harm to the building and the surrounding conservation area.
The team behind the long running project pointed out last year that grander venues than their 137-year-old church already have the technology mounted.
These include Edinburgh Castle and York Minster.
Highland Council’s south area planning committee members went against their own planners’ recommendation last autumn to approve £1.1 million transformational plans for the church.
Their planners had taken issue with proposals to install the solar panels on the roof.
But councillors granted planning permission for the church’s redevelopment but crucially refused consent for the photovoltaic panels.
The Reporter recommended a year ago the church holds further talks with council planners.
