Landmark Forfar church to be bulldozed following appeal
February 15 2018
Overruling the recommendation of the authority’s own planners, who refused the application on the grounds of its ‘significant detrimental impact on the character and appearance of Forfar’, councilors instead sided with reverend Maggie Hunt who has championed demolition.
Built in 1881 St Margaret’s Church isn’t listed and requires extensive roof repairs to halt a series of repeated flooding incidents over the years - in addition to installation of a new heating system and repairs to its windows, stonework and guttering.
These issues have been calculated as costing £1.4m to put right by church trustees, persuading them to progress alternative plans for the complete demolition and rebuild which they say would cost just £1m.
To that end James F. Stephen Architects have drawn up plans for a sports hall, hospitality and meeting space complete with disabled changing and toilet facilities.
A low-rise multifunction hall will take the place of the imposing Gothic edifice
Planners had initially blocked the demolition bid last September, a decision which the church has now successfully appealed
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13 Comments
#1 Posted by Chantelles right thumb on 15 Feb 2018 at 13:57 PM
and the prize for the worst images generated by _______* (I'm thinking minecraft as surely no sketch up). Please stand up and identify yourself. that's rank
#2 Posted by lm on 15 Feb 2018 at 14:57 PM
My God :(....this is the End ......please call the police
#3 Posted by K on 15 Feb 2018 at 15:03 PM
Why is this happening !!!!
#4 Posted by Graeme McCormick on 15 Feb 2018 at 15:18 PM
Looks from the photograph that the original plans for a church included a tower or spire to one side , so it was never completed. Unless folk start going back to and supporting congregations or we have a church tax as in some Lutheran countries we have to accept that
such proposals are possibly the best worst option. That doesn't mean that the modern replacacement can't be a thing of beauty which these impressions are not.
such proposals are possibly the best worst option. That doesn't mean that the modern replacacement can't be a thing of beauty which these impressions are not.
#5 Posted by Kate on 15 Feb 2018 at 16:40 PM
These renders are the best thing I have ever seen. I would like a giant hedgehog outside my new community centre too, please.
#6 Posted by mick on 15 Feb 2018 at 22:29 PM
The single positive that is evident is consistency.
One miserable effort replacing another.............
One miserable effort replacing another.............
#7 Posted by Bill S on 16 Feb 2018 at 08:29 AM
Is anyone surprised that the "Architect" is based in Aberdeen?!
#8 Posted by town planner on 17 Feb 2018 at 21:55 PM
this is f***** madness... if there are no congregations then the building should be utilised as an asset for the community
#9 Posted by Edward Irving on 18 Feb 2018 at 10:11 AM
#8 - There is a congregation. The church (in the only sense worth talking about) is not a building. The church is the community.
#10 Posted by lm on 19 Feb 2018 at 10:36 AM
Surely this has a historical value!!!!! It has survived all these years (nearly 150 years)and still remaining in a very good condition. It is really sad to see it demolished, butchered and replaced by an ugly, cheap, building with a badly designed roof, which is not going to survive a 25 year period.
#11 Posted by Animals of Forfar Wood on 20 Feb 2018 at 22:44 PM
A big turning circle at the front so visitors can clearly see the exit immediately after entering the site. Great exit....sorry access strategy! Love the hedgehog.
#12 Posted by In reality on 21 Feb 2018 at 07:13 AM
Total fail from the architects who should have been able to reuse and suggest a scheme that makes use of the church for another 150 years. And what makes councillors, whose main job will often be irrelevant to the building, think they know better than a planner who will have relevant qualification and experience? A sorry tale....and as for the design of the new building - sloping roofs seem to be a 'house style' what a legacy!
#13 Posted by Terra on 17 Apr 2018 at 07:20 AM
For goodness sake. What even...what the hell?
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