Campaigners against the proposed “desecration” of their family graveyard by a developer seeking to build a private house in the adjacent abandoned church have told of their dismay that the Scottish Government has been called in to help decide the case.
In June, Perth and Kinross Council rejected, for the fifth time, a scheme to turn Kinfauns Church into a family home because it is too close to the 900-year-old graveyard.
But the 20-year fight against the plan is set to continue after the owner-developers appealed.
Objector Major David Walter said, “It’s very upsetting and obviously we are disappointed but I don’t think there is anything we can do now it’s part of the planning process that we have to accept.
“We just hope the powers that be in the Scottish Government take on board the arguments of the objectors which are nothing to do with nimbyism and everything to do with the desecration of a sacred piece of ground.”
He added, “You could criticise the system for allowing the process to continue so long because, for me, no should mean no.
“They’ve sent a reporter to see the site twice at considerable expense so we can’t see the benefit of carrying on.”
The idea of turning Kinfauns Church into a house was first raised in 1991 and has been rejected five times twice by the government despite various changes being made to the plans.’Sense of duty’Major Walter said, “Tweaking to the plans make no difference it’s the concept of a private house next to a graveyard in active use which makes no sense and it’s unbelievable that anyone should think it should be allowed to happen.
“They’ve taken a punt on buying the property without planning permission in the hope of making a lot of money and they have to try and make it work now but we’re just as determined as the developer.
“We’re not coming from a position of trying to make money but from a sense of duty to our relations buried there and our little community for the future.”
He added, “The council has done all it can and the Scottish Government should see that and throw it out as well.”
Perth firm Newhouse Developments Ltd are hanging their appeal hopes on the fact the last ruling by the reporter, in July 2009, found the change of use was not incompatible with the graveyard but turned it down on minor points, which have been altered in the latest plan.
The council committee ruled against its own planners’ advice in rejecting the scheme, stating it was incompatible with a working graveyard and it left too little room for garden space around the house.
The appeal document points out other Perthshire graveyards adjacent to private homes in Ardler, Blairingone and Dron.
It goes on, “The appellants can speculate on the concerns on this first issue given the previous refusal but are disappointed that the changes made in light of the previous appeal decision have apparently been ignored.
“However, on the second reason for refusal the appellants are at a loss to understand the concerns, given that they have never been raised previously.”
The appeal is likely to be decided by a reporter who has not yet been appointed, following the consideration of documents and a site visit, rather than by public inquiry.