A Dundee church has been given the green light to expand but only after councillors spent 30 minutes wrangling over the trajectory of the sun.
Amid bizarre scenes to approve the construction of an additional floor at the Open Heavens church, city development boss Mike Galloway was forced to explain to members how the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
The extra floor designed to house the congregation’s growing Sunday school was objected to on the grounds it would block out light and limit a neighbour’s ability to dry their laundry.
Objectors also cited noise concerns from “exuberant” worship at the facility, which it was suggested could be tackled by the council’s noise complaints team.
During an increasingly heated debate, Labour member Brian Gordon asked Mr Galloway if he could provide assurances that the new floor, situated to the north of the objectors’ home, would not block out light.
Mr Galloway said: “The sun would only ever be in that situation in the very height of summer, and even then when at a very low angle.
“I do not see any circumstance in which this would affect the amount of sunlight at the adjourning property.”
SNP member Ken Lynn led the objection to the construction of the additional space, which Mr Galloway said was “roughly the size of two living rooms”.
Mr Lynn told the development management committee: “The building is extremely close to the house.
“It already feels extremely claustrophobic. It (the church’s building) is high enough as it is.”
He added that “some sort of vigil” takes place at the church, which has more than 200 members, on Saturday evenings, often going on until 11pm.
Independent councillor Ian Borthwick dismissed his concerns, describing religious worship as “sober”, while SNP member Jimmy Black suggested neighbours could call out the council’s noise complaints team if the service became too loud.
Councillors eventually approved the application to install the additional floor at the Graham Street church by 20 votes to five.
A suggestion to put a curfew on the use of the new floor was also rejected.
Lord Provost Bob Duncan said: “I have visited the church. The worship is exuberant and it is extremely well run.
“It is extremely nice to see a church that needs to expand.”