Developer draws up arts centre plan for derelict church

A DERELICT former church in Leith could be revived as offices or a performing arts space as developers close in on a deal.

A bid is expected to be made for the B-listed former St James' Church in Constitution Street by the end of the year.

It is hoped that a deal could help secure the future of the church, which dates back to 1862 but is now on a list of Edinburgh's historic buildings that are most at risk as a result of years of decay.

It is eligible for funding through the Leith Townscape Heritage Initiative - the 9 million project to breathe new life into some of Leith's historic buildings.

But in order to secure funding from the lottery-backed project, developers need to start work by June 2012.

Property agents marketing the site believe that the availability of up to 1.8m of funding will help to ensure something finally happens to the building, which has not been used as a church for more than 20 years.

Roy Durie, a consultant at property agent Ryden, which is acting for a private seller which has put the former church on the market, said: "There is quite a bit of interest from developers now, especially because it can be partly grant-funded.

"It is not a church that lends itself easily to flats, because of its shape, so more of the interest has been in making it an office or performing arts centre.

"Churches are selling reasonably well at the moment and we have sold quite a few recently. There has been interest from church bodies as well.

"The grant that is available makes it more likely that something can go ahead. We will not have a formal closing date but we hope to negotiate and have bids by Christmas time."

He said he would not rule out interest from operators that wanted to turn the building into a pub or nightclub, although he said that a "community use", such as a dance centre, remains likeliest at present.

It is currently leased to TD Jenkinson, which uses it as a joiners' workshop, although the company is said to have indicated that it intends to move to a more suitable workshop property.

Leith councillor Rob Munn said: "The building is in use but it has been deteriorating for some time. It would be good to see some redevelopment of the building to preserve it for future generations.

"If it was to be some sort of public use it would be a great benefit for the community but it is a building in Leith that is on the 'at risk' register, and unfortunately there are too many of these, so it would be good to see something happen to help preserve it."