The Planning and Environment Court has ordered the former Ashgrove Methodist Church,known for its distinctive A-frame design,be removed from the Queensland Heritage Register.
Only two years after a community campaign led the Queensland Heritage Council to list the building,its owner,the Uniting Church,has managed to have the decision overturned.
The heritage listing noted the church’s “distinctive tapered A-frame form,main front elevation with large,coloured glass cross,and features of its modernist architectural style”.
But Judge Amanda McDonnell found “the siting of the building significantly impedes its visibility,causing it to have poor landmark quality and limited picturesque attributes”.
The church wants to demolish the building and have a childcare centre constructed in its place. The court’s decision will allow Brisbane City Council to resume consideration of a development application.
If approved,the centre would accommodate 136 children with an on-site café and parking for 41 cars.