City centre church cross sparks planning row

Large structure fixed to historic listed building without council’s permission

A Dundee church has been warned it may fall foul of planning laws – by hanging a cross on the rear of the building.

Gilfillan Memorial Church on Whitehall Crescent has installed a large wooden cross on the Dock Street side of the Grade B-listed building, adjacent to the Malmaison Hotel.

The structure is at least 12 feet tall and hangs between the second and third floors of the church.

However, the Congregational church has not applied for planning permission to erect the cross.

Planning permission is required for any large signs or advertising billboards put up on the side of buildings.

The church will now have to apply for retrospective planning permission and provide details of how it has been secured to the structure.

If not, it may be ordered to take down the cross – which it will also have to do if councillors reject the application.

The church did apply for planning permission to replace its front door in March but the application was later withdrawn. In 2015 it sought planning permission to make repairs to the building’s south elevation, which overlooks Dock Street, but this did not include proposals for a giant cross hanging on the side of the property.

A Dundee City Council spokeswoman said the local authority is in discussion with the church about the cross.

She said: “We are continuing to engage in discussions with Gilfillan Memorial Church.”

Church minister the Rev Dr Lee Rayner said: “It is an issue for the church’s management board.

“I know there were protracted discussions with the architects and Historic Scotland.”

Ken Dick from the church said the joiner who installed the cross was responsible for securing planning permission.

Gilfillan Memorial Church was built in 1887 and listed in 1965.

Churches are exempt from listed building controls due to what is known as ecclesiastical exemption. However, this is limited to the interior of the buildings.

Alterations to the exterior of a building must go through the secular planning system.

If the church’s application is unsuccessful and it is unable to reach an accommodation with the planning authority, the application will be referred to the decision-making body within the denomination concerned.

Pictures: Kim Cessford. The church will have to apply for retrospective planning permission and provide details of how the wooden cross has been secured to the building.