A north-east church has kicked up a stink by trying to protect itself from being flooded with sewage.
The Elim Pentecostal Church in Aberdeen’s city centre has applied for permission to install flood doors after waste material entered the site on Theatre Lane on three separate occasions.
The street is currently protected from the rain by a sewer which runs from the bridge on Marischal Street towards the harbour.
However, during heavy rain and high tides, flooding often takes place which damages the church.
Scottish Water has offered to put in flood doors to attempt to mitigate the problem.
A statement prepared by the applicants said uPVC doors were the “most appropriate” way to combat the problem.
It added: “Timber doors are not suitable for such flood doors due to the instability of timber in excessive and extended wet conditions.
“Metal doors are not suitable in this situation for flood doors as corrosion to their surface prevents suitable sealing of the perimeter between the door and frame.
“UPVC doors are considered the most appropriate as they allow a stable construction which sits comfortably with the perimeter door seal, preventing water ingress.”
However, the proposals have come under fire from one resident of a neighbouring property.
Alan Milne said other residents on the street could not have uPVC windows, so it would be unfair to allow the church special dispensation.
He added: “I object to the plans, because uPVC is not in keeping with the time period of the building and the area in which it is located.
“If a neighbour three doors up can’t have new uPVC windows installed because of this, then neither should the church.
“I appreciate the need for the doors, but in fairness of it all, it’s a no.”