A GALASHIELS church has been granted a stay of execution after a planning application to demolish it was pulled.

The Border Telegraph reported in July that St Aidan’s in Gala Park was set to be knocked down after the building was deemed to be ‘beyond repair’, but Historic Environment Scotland have objected to the plans.

Ian Thomson stated: “We object to the demolition of the former St Aidan’s Church, Gala Park, Galashiels, on the grounds that the information currently presented to justify loss of this B-listed building falls short of what is expected and raises issues for the historic environment.

“Much of the argument appears centred on the viability of the 2015 scheme, with a loss projected of around £500,000. 

“The marketing process has not, in our view, been adequately demonstrated in the supporting information.”

The 136 year-old B-listed building was originally named the South United Presbyterian Church and in 1936 merged with the former Trinity Church on the High Street, when it became known as St Cuthbert’s. 

Then in 1974, St Cuthbert’s was united with Ladhope Parish Church and was renamed St Aidan’s in 1981.

St Aidan’s closed in 2005 due to a low congregation and high maintenance costs and has been unused ever since.

Then in 2007, Braedale Developments bought the plot and set out plans to create 26 flats, with planning permission granted in 2009.

But little interest was received after the market crashed.

Following the dissolution of Braedale Developments, Book Developments Ltd took over the project in 2014 and submitted a new planning application for a revised scheme of 16 flats, which was approved in 2014.

But the council also received objections from concerned members of the public, from as far afield as Surrey.

John Fitzgerald, from Sutton, visited his family in Galashiels and wrote: “My first impression was that it is a beautiful church with its design and colour of the stone.

“I spoke to a few of my family about it and they told me the church is proposed to be demolished and replaced with flats. I think this is incredibly sad if this was to happen.

“Remember, history ‘sells’. The likes of Venice, Krakow or Brugge attract tourists because of this reason.”

Alistair Disley, from the Forth and Borders Architectural Heritage Society Scotland said: “St Aidan’s Church is B-listed, and makes a significant contribution to the Gala Park area, particularly its tower and fine North façade with an impressive rose window.

“We recognise that having an empty and deteriorating building is not in anyone’s best interest.

“We further recognise that any enabling development on the site is likely to involve some demolition of the existing buildings (e.g. the hall).

“Accordingly we object to the proposal to demolish the entire building, and would welcome future creative proposals that balance preservation of the most significant portions of the buildings with economically viable development that can proceed in the near future.”

Agent Gavin Yuill, of Camerons, told the Border Telegraph: “The application was withdrawn after discussions with Historic Environment Scotland.

“The client is reviewing the situation and will then consider whether to go forward.”