St Mungo’s are considering applying for planning permission to build a church on land bequeathed to them in 1942 opposite Balerno High School.

Rev Ollie Clegg told the August meeting of Balerno Community Council that their Gateway Project was at a concept design stage and that locals may have seen workmen on the site doing tests to determine where best to site the building.

A transport consultant has been engaged to look both at access given that the site has only one entrance and exit and there is not an alternative, and also at parking issues.

Outline plans included a sanctuary for 400, around five separate rooms and offices for staff and it is proposed that the church should both continue to provide counselling services and should also be able to act as a community hub.

The church building might cover around one-third of the field which would be landscaped.

Rev Clegg said an average of 220 attend services at the current location in Balerno High School but attendances vary between 180 and 350. Christmas events can draw a bigger congregation and attendees are between 60 and 70 per cent from the local area and 30 per cent from out with Balerno.

St Mungo’s use a school in Livingston for services there and the intention is to be able to bring both groups together in Balerno under one roof for one-off services and special occasions.

Preliminary planning talks are, he said, underway with City of Edinburgh Council planners and he stressed that the church is fully aware that the site is in a conservation area.

A decision on whether to go ahead with the project is, he said, likely to be taken in the Spring of 2026.

Historical note: St Mungo’s Church in Balerno was originally established as a school in the early 19th century and it later became an Episcopal church, sharing the name with the patron saint of Glasgow. The existing church was built in 1869 and is a listed building.

CURRENT CHURCH: St Mungo’s at Ladycroft, Balerno. Picture by Nigel Duncan

SIDE ELEVATION: Current church at Ladycroft from another angle. Picture

PROPOSED SITE: Currently a field opposite Balerno High School. Picture Nigel Duncan

ALTERNATIVE VIEW: The proposed site from Balerno High School entry point. Picture Nigel Duncan