LAR gets green light for Edinburgh church conversion

LAR Housing Trust has been granted planning permission for what it describes as its most ambitious project to date.The Scottish housing charity, which has over 30 sites around the country, is set to convert a semi-derelict and disused church on Edinburgh’s Union Canal into mid-market rental homes.St Kentigern’s Church in the Polwarth area of the city has been bricked up for a number of years and was in the news five years ago when police unearthed a cannabis farm at the site during a raid.LAR is constructing four three-bed homes in the church itself as well as building a new block of flats in the grounds. This will consist of four one-bed and six two-bed homes.The church, which was built in 1887, was designed by renowned Scottish architect John More Peddie, who was also responsible for The Caledonian Hotel in the city’s west end. In the past, the church has served as a garage, nursery and warehouse before falling into disrepair.LAR hopes to appoint contractors and start work on the site by Spring 2021.