Further to my article last month about the falling masonry concern at the former McCheyne Memorial Church at the Perth Road/Shepherd's Loan junction, I have been in contact with council planning officers regarding this.
There has been a degree of activity at the church by representatives of the owner (who is London-based) and the City Council's Conservation Officer has updated me as follows:
"Having visited the site and met with the owner, I can advise that the current works relate to repairs as a result of a burst water mains within the vestry.
The repairs include replastering a number of walls, repairs to ceilings (reinstating the cornicing), painting of timber work and redecorating. I also viewed the church hall and main body of the church, which are currently used for storage.
The owner indicated it was his long term intention to convert (with the appropriate consents and permissions) the whole building to a single house, to be used as a holiday home for the owner's family."
The church has lain empty for over a decade and local residents regularly comment to me that it would be good to see the church building brought back into an appropriate use.