The “ghost” of George Dempster failed to persuade councillors to refuse the residential conversion of an ancient Angus kirk.
Nicknamed Honest George, Dempster was the third laird of Dunnichen and was elected MP for Fife and Forfar Burghs in 1761, a seat which he held until his retirement in 1790.
Following its closure as part of a cost-cutting rationalisation within the parish, Dunnichen Church 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.
Objector Norman Atkinson from Dunnichen Heritage Society told members of the development standards committee that Dempster had gifted the church for community use.
Pointing to a portrait of Dempster, which hangs in the council chamber in Forfar, Mr Atkinson said: “Now ladies and gentlemen, he is actually looking down over us just now.
“George Dempster is just hanging on the wall there above Councillor Myles.
“So he is watching you all and hoping you will be wise with this decision.
“He did not intend that it would be a house.
“He gave it for community use.
“I wonder what he would say?”
There was 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 application had generated several letters of objection relating to issues including ground ownership, the church’s suitability as a dwellinghouse and the graveyard at Dunnichen.
However, councillors agreed to give the owners of the 215-year-old Dunnichen Church near the village of Letham planning permission and listed building consent for the home project.
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.
The applicant assured planners that important features including the church pulpit, internal joinery and historic wall plaques will all be retained when it is converted into a six-bedroom property.
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.
