APPROVAL has been granted for a new home to be built next to the site of a historic church in Muirkirk.

Plans were submitted to East Ayrshire Council by Mr Naveen Teja Talluri, who was seeking permission to build a single one-and-a-half storey home on the vacant land.

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

The approved site plan in Muirkirk.The approved site plan in Muirkirk (Image: East Ayrshire Council) 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 before these latest plans were filed for one less property with an added floor.

Update plans were initially submitted back in June and approved by officials last week.

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A design statement with the latest plans said: "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 a one-and-a-half 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 adds that the design "presents a sensible and well balanced proposition for a vacant site".

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