A new home could be built next to the site of a historic church in Muirkirk.

Permission was previously granted to build two properties on the site next to St Thomas the Apostle Church in the village.

Revised plans have now been lodged with East Ayrshire Council's planning department by Mr Naveen Teja Talluri, who is seeking permission to build a single one-and-a-half storey home on the vacant land.

The neighbouring church on Wellwood Street is believed to date back to 1843.

The original proposals, for two bungalows on the site, were approved by the local authority's planning officials in 2021.

Proposed elevations of the home.Proposed elevations of the home. (Image: East Ayrshire Council)

However, these latest plans have been filed as an updated application, allowing for one less development and one more floor.

A design statement with the latest plans says: . The application involves changes to an existing approval to accommodate changes in the brief to allow for an additional floor to the current approved plans for the site, so the client can have bedrooms in first floor similar to the area as 1.5 story house.

"The brief is to design and build a new four bedroom detached home with two bedrooms in the ground floor and two bedrooms in the roof design.

"The design will be a high quality, modern, secure and energy efficient home which is open, spacious and an enjoyable living environment.

"The proposed house will be similar to the existing houses in the street nearby.

The supporting statement says the design "presents a sensible and well balanced proposition for a vacant site".

Plans were submitted to the local authority in June, and officials have set a deadline of early September for a decision on the updated proposals.

You can view the full application on the East Ayrshire Council website at eplanning.east-ayrshire.gov.uk, by searching for application 24/0316/PP.