It was this time last year that we received planning permission for the work we wanted to do at Greenbank. You will recall that at that time, the care home’s application for their development was not approved and that prompted an appeal being submitted to the Reporter in Edinburgh. On 5 May 2023 we received the fantastic news from the Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Division to confirm the appeal for the care home development had been successful. This is the news we had hoped for and allowed us to press on with the Legacy Project.
Over the summer, the Legacy Project Group continued to meet to refine the designs for the extension to the church and to finalise the contractual arrangements for the sale of the land to the care home developer. That work continues with the aim as always to provide a sustainable future for the congregation. Our long term goal is to leave a lasting legacy for the next generation.
It is difficult to be too precise about timings, however, the projected timeline is noted below as presented to the congregation at our Annual Stated Meeting on 21 June 2023:
LEGACY PROJECT – PROJECTED TIMELINE
PHASE 1 – EXTENSION & EXTERNAL WORKS
- Detailed design June-Oct 2023
- Building warrant application Dec 2023
- Construction information and tendering Dec 2023- May 2024
- Completion of land sale and contractor appointment May 2024
- Start of construction July 2024
- Completion and Handover May 2025
PHASE 2 – SANCTUARY
- Start of construction June 2025
- Completion & handover April 2026
Since the congregation approved the plan to proceed in November 2020 costs have of course continued to rise. Inflation in construction costs has been particularly steep and so the Session decided that the best way forward was to proceed in two phases as you can see from the projected timetable.
The Legacy Project Group continue to apply for grants for the legacy project. Overall grants totalling £72,000 have now been awarded and £46,000 of this sum has been received to date.
For information about how you can financially support the project please contact Greenbank Treasurer, Alistair Smith at alistairdsmith@ntlworld.com.
If you wish more information on any aspect of the project, please direct your enquiry to the church office in the first instance.
