Stagecoach tycoon Ann Gloag has unveiled plans for a new church on the former Waverley Hotel site in Perth.
If approved, the building on the corner of York Place/Caledonian Road would provide a modern base for the Trinity Church of the Nazarene.
The existing church premises would then be used to house a multi-use hall and gym, available for community use.
The proposals are contained in a new planning application submitted to Perth and Kinross Council by the businesswoman and philanthropist.
Ms Gloag, who already has outline planning permission for the £3.6 million redevelopment of the eyesore Waverley site, is a member of the Trinity Church of the Nazarene, along with her brother and fellow Stagecoach founder Sir Brian Souter.
The new designs show the church and gym hall would be linked with a glass entrance.
The site’s existing boundary walls on York Place and Caledonian Road would be repaired and re-patched to match the existing walls.
Steps and ramps will be built, along with areas of planting to provide a visual “cushion” from the pavement and passing residents.
A design statement, submitted with the plan, states: “The concept of the site development is to form a new-build church hall and facilities whilst also creating an open space to the front of the new building and ramped level access and stepped access.
“We believe that this new development on the corner of York Place and Caledonian Road is natural to the townscape.”
Perth and Kinross Council gave permission for the overall redevelopment in September 2016. This was followed by a demolition warrant to raze the fire ravaged Waverley Hotel – once famous for its high teas – to the ground.
Contractors completed the demolition towards the end of last year.
The Waverley closed its doors as a hotel in August 2011 and had been used as a homeless hostel before falling into disrepair.
Its dilapidated state was worsened by a fierce fire that left a gaping hole in its roof in November 2015.
Eight fire engines took four hours to put out the blaze.
