Demolition refusal leaves £300k bill

CHURCH leaders face a sixfigure bill to repair a crumbling 137-year-old building after plans to demolish it were rejected by officials.

Earlier this year, St Margaret’s Church in Forfar submitted plans to replace the building with a single-storey community church, to include a cafe, hall, kitchen, vestry, oratory and office.

However, Angus Council decided the demolition of the church would have a “significant detrimental impact” on the character and appearance of Forfar conservation area.

It leaves the church with an estimated £300,000 repair bill — not including any costs for modernisation.

Officials from St Margaret’s Church said they were not yet in a position to comment on their plans.

Rejecting the application, council officials said: “The building makes a significant and positive contribution to the street scene and is of some local historic and cultural significance.

“There are relatively few surviving buildings of this scale and quality remaining in the Forfar conservation area and town centre. The building makes a positive contribution to the conservation area and the presumption should be to retain it.

“The demolition would not protect or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area and would erode and undermine its character.”