Plan to build new Grace Church in Larbert turned down

The church appealed in June, saying the council had taken too long to decide whether to allow plans for a £2 million church and community facilities to go ahead.

However, the final decision issued today (Thursday) concludes that “the proposed development does not accord overall with the relevant provisions of the development plan”.

In a statement, Grace Church Larbert Project Board said: “We are surprised and disappointed by this ruling against our plans for a new church and community facility at the heart of the Inches and Kinnaird area following the strong recommendation earlier this year from Falkirk Council’s planners to approve our application, and their decisive rejection of all objections raised.

“We will now take time to consider the Reporter’s decision in detail and take legal advice on the options open to us.”

However, Gary Wilson – who led a community campaign objecting to the church’s plans – was delighted by the result.

He said: “This is great news for the 96 per cent of our community who objected to this development.

“The Reporter has confirmed much of what we have argued from the outset and this decision safeguards our residents from the dangers of inevitable traffic congestion.”

Mr Wilson and fellow campaigners say they would now like to focus on getting better community facilities for the area.

He said: “There is a real sense of community spirit in Kinnaird and The Inches and we have recently established a highly motivated residents’ association.

“High on our agenda is community acquisition of the land, which will allow us to build something that puts the needs of the community front and centre.

“Whilst Grace Church have six weeks to decide whether to lodge a Judicial Review, we respectfully invite them to confirm they will not so we may embark upon our plans without further delay.”

The Reporter’s full decision can be found at www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/CaseDetails.aspx?id=121113&fbclid=IwAR01ya-XV5y03DdjnwA7sTkNBB9Nnt8Ofp2VXvMF0xcRWZyIOKcmv6yt8kE