Speymouth Parish Church to become a home after planners give project the green light
Planners have given the green light to a project which will transform an almost 300-year old Moray kirk into a house.
Speymouth Parish Church, known locally as ‘The Red Kirk’ due to the red sandstone it was originally built with, held its final service in August last year after the Kirk Session approved its disposal earlier in 2024.
Since its foundation back in 1732 the church had been an integral part of the local community, hosting weddings, baptisms, funerals and other events.
It was extended to include a hall in 1884 and further extended in 2004 to accommodate more facilities. As part of major changes rolled out by the Church of Scotland to its estate across the country, due in the main to dwindling attendances and financial constraints, Speymouth was one of a number of kirks to close their doors for the last time.
However, plans submitted by Plans Plus on behalf of clients Mr and Mrs G Lowe to convert the out-of-use church into a dwelling house with an integral ‘granny annex’ have been given the thumbs up by Moray Council planners.
In their submission, Plans Plus stated that there would be no external changes to the building other than the replacement of some windows.
The application continued: “Internally it is hoped to keep the main church building basically as it is with just the removal of the pews to create space for an open plan lounge/dining/kitchen area at ground floor level.
“Behind the main hall there are ancillary buildings which will house the main bathroom and an independent granny annex linked to the main house.
“At first floor level more work is required due to the sloping areas for seating. These have to be levelled off to create bedrooms.
“There will be a restricted height in these areas but should all comply with building regulations.
“Drainage is to the existing septic tank at the rear of the property.
“As there are no external works proposed the rainwater drainage will remain unchanged.”