A controversial plan to demolish and replace the historic Oban Baptist Church to make more space for its growing congregation is due to be decided by councillors this week.
The plans to build a new church and community building on Albany Street, submitted by Oban Baptist Church to Argyll and Bute Council, attracted 12 letters of objection and 48 in support.
One objection argued: “The church is an important feature of our local and Scottish heritage, built with local Bonawe granite by skilled craftsmen. This cannot be repeated or replaced.” Another argues: “The adjacent 1960s buildings could be demolished to accommodate all the requirements of the new church.”
A supporter said: “The people of the church have spent many years looking for alternative accommodation in the town to cater for an expanding congregation.
“A new building is the only solution if the congregation want to continue to gather on this site.
“Members, adherents and friends have been consulted continuously throughout the process and, as a body, the overwhelming decision was to take the current route.”
Oban Community Council advised: “Consensus view was that the needs of the church congregation should be afforded the higher priority.”
Historic Environment Scotland “do not find the church building to be of special architectural or historic interest and accordingly they declined the request by third parties to have the building listed”.
Argyll and Bute Council’s Conservation Officer said: “The preferred option would be to demolish the two buildings to the east of the church and design a new extension to the church to replace these.”
Officers have recommended the plan for approval. It goes before the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee on November 22.