Island pub could become church

A homeless breakaway congregation in the Western Isles plans to convert a pub into a church.

The new North Harris Free Church of Scotland is in negotiations to buy the licensed premises in Tarbert, Harris.

The church – created after a number of worshippers quit the Church of Scotland in protest at gay ministers – say it would make a suitable home for its congregation.

No changes to the outside of the inn are planned. Internally, itwould seat 100 people as well as space for three Sunday schoolrooms, toilets, an office, kitchen and store.

However, the lack of parking is a major stumbling block and would create congestion especially at funerals and weddings.

Now, the congregation has three months to agree an official planning obligation agreement to use designated parking at a neighbouring garage.

Permission to change the use of the building should be refused if parking arrangements are not satisfactorily agreed within the timescale, according to Western Isles Council’s planning committee.

The full council is likely to ratify yesterday’s recommendation when it meets next week.

The Harris Inn is presently linked with the Harris Hotel on the opposite side of Scott Road. The owners wish to sell the Harris Inn and to absorb the inn use within an underutilised part of the hotel.