Unholy argument breaks out over anti-Trident banner

Published on Monday 9 April 2007 11:58

A CHURCH that put up a huge anti-nuclear banner on its facade has sparked angry complaints from local residents.

The protest against the Trident defence system was put up outside Polwarth Parish Church more than a month ago.

Council officers are understood to have now written to the church saying the banner must go.

Bearing the slogan "No Trident Replacement: turn swords into ploughshares", it has been draped over the church hall as a prominent message to passers-by on Polwarth Gardens.

However, residents in Merchiston have complained about the sign, which they claim is out of keeping with both the building and the surrounding conservation area.

Others have argued that the sign is "inappropriate" as the church should not be promoting a political message. And further concerns have been raised over the fact that the church is also used as a polling station - meaning that potential voters could be swayed by its political stance.

The row flared up after several neighbours lodged complaints with Merchiston Community Council over the banner. A resident of nearby Gillsland Road, said: "I think it is entirely inappropriate to have a banner like this in a conservation area. It is an eyesore and it is also promoting a political message, which I don't think a church should be doing.

"There have been similar banners at this church in the past that have promoted anti-war messages. Concerns were raised about them, so I think that people should be concerned about this one as well.

"I'm also concerned about the fact that the church is used as a polling station. We are only four weeks away from elections, so it is wrong to have a political message promoted outside a place where people will be voting. It sends out totally the wrong message.

"It's been up there for more than a month and, as it is in a conservation area, I would have thought there would need to be planning permission to put something so big outside a prominent building."

A spokeswoman for Merchiston Community Council said: "We have had several complaints about this banner and it has been taken up by the local councillor, who looked at whether it had been put up illegally without planning permission.

"We understand that the church has now been sent a letter by the council demanding that the banner is taken down."

The church is in the constituency of Nigel Griffiths MP, who quit his position as Deputy Leader of the Commons over the replacement of Trident last month.

It is also in the constituency of Edinburgh South MSP Mike Pringle, who said he had not seen the banner but admired the church's anti-Trident stance.

He added: "I'm sure this sign is not something they intended to have outside the church indefinitely, but rather it is something to voice their viewpoint about a recent event. I also admire them for their stance, as it is an opinion that I would endorse and share.

"I cannot believe that, at a time when we should be promoting peace and harmony, the council have nothing better to do than demand that a sign or banner such as this is taken down."

The church minister, Reverend Linda Dunbar, was unavailable for comment.