A decision on knocking down a west end church has been put on hold for a hearing due to a large number of objections.

Today, councillors opted to hold a hearing into the demolition of the B-listed Hillhead Baptist Church, which would be replaced with flats, as there are 332 objections.

Designed by Thomas L Watson in the Greek revival style and built in 1883, the church plans have sparked a lot of interest from residents.

A hearing into its future means the developer Wemyss Properties and objectors can have their say in person at a committee rather than only council officials and councillors being present.

Speaking at today’s planning applications committee, chair Ken Andrew said: “I’m getting the sense that overwhelmingly people feel we should probably have a hearing on this given the level of responses to these proposals in terms of numbers of objections and indeed the community council and elected members.”

He added: “It is only fair we give this a proper hearing.”

Hillhead Community Council members are among the hundreds of people who have objected to the plan for the Cranworth Street site, which would see a six storey block of flats constructed.

The community council said the design “is not suitable for this prominent corner site”.

It added: “This building is to replace a listed building. It is to occupy a site with two A listed buildings in its vicinity: the Baths and the Art Deco building in Vinicombe Street. If being replaced, the building should at least have a realistic possibility of being listed or be of a quality to enhance the area. This proposed building does not.”

Among other points, it also raised concern about the height of the proposed development.

Other objectors have claimed the demolition is not justified against policies and the plan is over development of the plot.

However there were 19 supporting comments pointing out the need for housing and that the current church building is “deteriorating rapidly and is in a terrible condition”.

Wemyss Properties said retaining the church building is not financially viable and it was the only developer interested in buying the site.

A hear into the planning application for the church is to be held at a future date.