Bid to transform kirk into luxury private home moves a step closer

Fresh plans have been lodged to breathe new life into a derelict Perthshire kirk.

Developers have submitted a detailed bid to transform C-listed Kinfauns Church into a luxury home.

Planning permission was secured last year, despite opposition from some local residents.

For about 20 years – since the plans were first mooted – campaigners have fought to preserve the building. They argued that turning it into a private house would lead to the “desecration” of a nearby cemetery.

Proposals were rejected four times on the grounds it would be incompatible with the graveyard.

The most recent attempt, lodged in 2011, drew scores of objections from local residents. However, it was approved following an appeal to the Scottish Government.

And in January 2016, Perth and Kinross Council allowed developers extra time to progress their plan and submit a fresh application for interior alterations.

The plan, tabled by owner Jawad Awan, involves adding new floors, as well as a new canopy on the west wall.

He also wants to install conservation rooflights.

Planners are considering Mr Awan’s application for listed building consent and are likely to make a decision in the coming weeks.

The property was sold by the Church of Scotland in 1991, but has lain empty ever since.

An offer was made by locals to buy the building after the first planning application failed, but the move was rejected.

They wanted to see the church demolished to make space for more graves.