Unholy row breaks out over kirk's salvation

A HISTORIC church is set to be saved from demolition and turned into student flats despite objections from the local community.

St Kentigern's Church in Fountainbridge is to be transformed into flats and a waterside restaurant, as part of the city's proposed Canal Quarter.

The development will see the run-down exterior of the church, built in 1897, preserved.

But while local residents would welcome the retention of the church, they have hit out at the plans, which they say will destroy the peaceful area and add to the already huge number of students in the area.

In particular, residents have voiced concerns about how close to their homes the new accommodation blocks will be, as well as highlighting a lack of parking and raising concerns over access to the development, which is tucked away on the banks of the Union Canal behind residential tenements.

Student housing developer ELS Limited plans to develop a 100-cover restaurant on the ground floor and create 31 student flats on the site, divided between the first floor of the church and a large extension.

More than 30 objections have been lodged with the council, but officials have recommended the scheme be approved.

Local councillor Andrew Burns said despite the benefits of saving the church the proposals should be refused.

"I'm disappointed, as while it is welcomed that the church can be re-used this is clearly over-development of the site and contravenes some of the council's own non- statutory guidelines," he said.

"Residents there are keen to see the church building saved, but neighbours have very serious concerns about the scale of the development and its proximity to their properties."

The proposals also drew comment from heritage watchdog the Cockburn Association, which raised concerns.

Director Marion Williams said: "The association welcomes the principle of keeping the building in public use. However, we are concerned by the applicant's access statement, and think it is unrealistic that a development of this scale can be adequately served by only two car parking spaces."

St Kentigern's was used as a church until 1941 and, since then, it has been a nursery and a garage. It is currently used as a workshop and for storage.

John Bury, the council's head of planning, said: "The proposals to retain and redevelop this church will positively contribute to its prominent canal location to the benefit of the wider Fountainbridge area."

A decision will be made by councillors on Wednesday.