Plans for house in courtyard of Falkirk's historic Tattie Kirk rejected

Mark Dimmock had asked for planning permission to build a two-bedroom flat which would sit above four parking spaces.

The octagonal church, built in 1804, is a B-listed building in the heart of Falkirk Town Centre conservation area.

It is now used for offices and retail and the applicant argued that the new house would improve the look of the courtyard.

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However, planners agreed that while the design was sensitive, any building would be detrimental to the setting and character and historic spaces such as this should be preserved and enhanced rather than built on.

They were also concerned that in such a tight space, the interior would be cramped, overlooked and with poor daylight.

Ideally, planners would like to see a public garden linking the kirk to its historic graveyard next door and have suggested this to the applicant.

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