Braid Church future likely to be settled

Plans to turn the former Braid Church into an arts centre and restaurant look set to get the go-ahead.

Format Design has applied to redevelop the 19th century B-listed building on Nile Grove.

Planning consent was granted last year to turn the building into a performing arts centre and restaurant. However, the applicant has now amended its application so that the two different uses could potentially operate independently of each other.

Planning officials have recommended that the proposal be approved, although councillors will make a final decision at a meeting next Wednesday. Officials say that the building has “limited flexibility” to be adapted to other uses without impacting upon its architectural and historical interest.

The performing arts centre is likely to be fairly small and restricted to ancillary rooms at the rear of the main church hall.