An unholy row is brewing over the residential conversion of an ancient Angus kirk.
Owners of the 215-year-old Dunnichen Church near the village of Letham are seeking planning permission and listed building consent for the home project, but there is a degree of community resistance to the plan over issues including work already carried out to the B-listed property and the planting of a postbox in the graveyard there.
The church was part of the Dunnichen, Letham and Kirkden church estate until it staged its last service in 2011.
Although the oblong gothic building dates from 1802, there is evidence of Christianity on the site dating back 1,000 year.
Following its closure as part of a cost-cutting rationalisation within the parish, Dunnichen was at the centre of ambitious plans for development as a community hub.
However, they did not materialise and the kirk was subsequently sold to a private buyer, who has already carried out some of the works to convert it into a home.
They form part of the retrospective listed building application and planning approval bid which will go before Angus development standards councillors in Forfar on Thursday for the conversion to a six-bedroom property.
The applicant has assured planners that important features including the church pulpit, internal joinery and historic wall plaques will all be retained.
Church pews were previously removed by the Church of Scotland in 2013.
Letham and District Community Council offered no comment on the plan and Historic Environment Scotland has said it believes the proposal will give the building a sustainable future.
However, the heritage agency has suggested additional detail should be sought by planners to ensure that the alterations do not have unacceptable impacts on the fabric, appearance or character of the listed building.
The application has also generated several letters of objection relating to issues including ground ownership, the church’s suitability as a dwellinghouse and the graveyard at Dunnichen.
The new owner has a right of access across the graveyard, which is maintained by Angus Council. And the authority has said the erection of a postbox and planting of trees near the old kirk does not require planning permission.
The committee report, recommending conditional approval, adds: “There have been instances when materials have been stored outwith the buildings, however the council’s parks and burial grounds service has discussed this directly with the applicant.
“The proposals involve alterations to the listed building that affect its character.
“The proposed development would result in the reuse of a prominent listed building that is located within a conservation area.
“The internal alterations will affect its character but some alteration is necessary in order to facilitate the new use.
“Consultees have offered no significant issues…and impacts associated with the conversion of the building could be controlled by the proposed planning conditions.”
