PLANS to create a new community building on a proposed new housing development could be the answer to the prayers of a Peebles Church.

Builders Taylor Wimpey and property developer and investor  AWG Property want to create 200 new homes on land to the east of Kittlegairy View on Kingsmeadows Road.

As part of the plans, developers have allocated space for a community building and, if approved, could bring welcome news to Peebles Baptist Church who are looking for a new home on the south side of the Tweed.

The church has £60,000 in its building fund so far, but an estimated £750,000 would be needed in to create a new church and community building.

Reverend Ian Gray gave the Peeblesshire News his thoughts on the development.

“Peebles Baptist Church isn’t trying to argue for it [the housing development]; that said, clearly Peebles is and will continue to grow, and wherever that happens there is going to be an increased need for genuine and effective community. 

“We believe that God uses the Church to create and strengthen that, by showing his love and being good news in the neighbourhood; so if a major new expansion of the south side does happen we’re keen to be involved.

“We are therefore continuing a dialogue with the developers at this stage. We haven’t by any means abandoned the thought of building on the land that we already own [next to Victoria Park].

“In fact we’re keen to do something on that land even in the short term, and so we’re actively thinking about how we could have a presence there from which to base activities around the South Side. 

“In the longer term, we firmly believe God has plans for a full church and community facility south of the river – the only question is where?”

Andrew Roberts, strategic land and planning manager for Taylor Wimpey, said: “We have had positive preliminary discussions with the Baptist Church over the development of a facility on the site, for use by the whole community.

“We were conscious through our various discussions with the community that there was an urgent need for such a resource, especially given the lack of provision on the south side of the river.”

Peeblesshire News:

Land to the right of the proposed 200 new homes at Kittlegairy View has been earmarked for a community building

As previously reported, the Baptist Church had to leave its last permanent home in Greenside after the building was deemed structurally unsafe and had to be demolished.

Around the same time, a plot of land was purchased next to Victoria Park but the ground wasn’t developed. 

The congregation then settled into a temporary home at Victoria Park Day Centre and the new church plans were put on hold.

In February 2016, a consultation process was launched to find out what the rest of the town wanted from their new church.