Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Go-ahead for church conversion
A Coatbridge church which has lain derelict for a quarter of a century is to be largely demolished and the site turned into flats.
Permission was granted for the transformation of the B- listed former Dundyvan parish church on Oxford Street at the latest virtual meeting of North Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee.
The successful application from Glenboigbased Neatearth allows for “substantial” demolition of the 115-year-old church as well as knocking down the neighbouring manse – but will see its prominent crown tower and spire, plus attached gable, being retained and incorporated into the new development.
Giving the go-ahead, councillors agreed that “redevelopment of this site will safeguard the future of this listed church tower, which is a prominent landmark feature in Coatbridge.
“The residential use will bring a dangerous and derelict site back into active use, also to the benefit of the wider area – with roofs collapsed and the passing of several years being open to the elements, the current structures are dangerous and, with the exception of the tower, narthex, entrance feature and railings, in a perilous condition.”
Developers now plan to create two blocks of two-bedroomed flats, built in materials including red brick.
A new 20-property building fronting Henderson Street would incorporate the church tower, narthex porch area, plus existing steps and gates to form a new entrance to the development; while there would be 24 flats in another block fronting Oxford Street.
Dundyvan’s red sandstone church and spire date to 1905 and were designed by Alexander Cullen.
The tower is described as “architecturally important and a strong landmark feature at this locale as well as on the skyline of Coatbridge”; with the application also requiring separate listed building consent.
However, the ruined church and manse have been derelict for at least 25 years, with councillors describing it as an “eyesore”.
Plans to convert the buildings were approved 15 years ago but did not go ahead; the roof was then destroyed by fire in 2007, and subsequent applications for conversion, then a full demolition and site clearance, were respectively refused and withdrawn.
A report told councillors: “The survey and cost plan conclude that the church and manse are beyond economic repair, and that the proposed new-build element can be justified.
“The design ethos is to respect the listed tower and narthex, to ensure that the retained features are the focal point and that the tower remains a prominent landmark in the town.
“While four-storey, the proposed newbuild elements would sit subservient on either side of the retained narthex and tower, allowing it to retain its prominence.
“Historic Environment Scotland (HES) was satisfied that the proposal to demolish the majority of the church and the manse, and associated retention and new-build works were acceptable in terms of the assessment criteria [of ] structural condition, cost and viability of repair, proof of unsuccessful marketing and a good replacement scheme.”
There were 20 representations about the plan, raising objections about increased traffic and parking issues and describing the new plans as “overbearing”.
A report for councillors stated that although the planned 40 parking spaces are fewer than would ordinarily be required for a development of the size, “a balanced view has to be taken in retaining the viable elements of this important listed landmark, the fact that the site is relatively central, and there are adequate on-street parking opportunities.
“The proposed new-build element will not be overbearing in terms of the retained church features or the surrounding development; [it] represents the only viable solution to retaining the landmark [and] has been designed to carefully reflect the tower’s importance.”
Neatearth will also be required to make a contribution of more than £ 26,000 to education provision in the area.