A heritage group has called for an “urgent rethink” of plans to replace a church’s historic pews, saying its congregation has not been adequately consulted.
Next month the wooden seating at St Machar’s Cathedral, which dates back to 1867, will be ripped out and replaced with lighter, moveable benches.
Its kirk session says the current seating arrangements “lack both comfort and any aesthetic merit”.
But the Old Aberdeen Heritage Society has raised “serious issues” with the plan, with their concerns inflamed by a “prototype” seat currently on display.
A spokesman said: “There is a widespread view that they are not in keeping with the character and dignity of St Machar’s Cathedral, one of Scotland’s most famous and much loved historic buildings.
“The sample bench at present on view at the cathedral has been judged by many to be hard and uncomfortable to sit on, with no proper back support.”
“In view of the many concerns, it is regrettable that there seems to have been no consultation either with the congregation as a whole, or with other concerned parties, on the design of the replacement.”
However, the church said last night that the prototype is only being tested for comfort rather than its design and the chosen seats will be a different size and colour.
Session clerk Alan Grant also said that all of the heritage group’s concerns have already been considered.
He added: “We respect the position of the heritage society and we are committed to the built environment in Old Aberdeen but we have gone through the process already.
“We have attained the necessary permissions in the appropriate way.
“We are satisfied that we have the correct design and have committed resources to start the work on May 21.”
