Plans to partially demolish part of a Fife church have been unveiled.

Investigations at St John’s Church in Cupar have revealed “significant structural deterioration” to its Jubilee Room which is now fenced off and no longer in use.

The church has submitted an application to Fife Council for listed building consent to carry out a partial demolition. It has also submitted a separate application to carry out roof repairs.

The church in the town’s Bonnygate was built between 1875 and 1878, and opened for worship in late 1878. A hall was later added as the congregation grew. Following a union it became St. John’s United Free Church and then became a Church of Scotland building. In 2005, it was linked with Dairsie Parish Church with the union taking place in 2008.

placeholder image — St John's Parish Church, Cupar

The church commissioned architects to examine the state of the Jubilee Room amid concerns it was no longer structurally sound.

A supporting statement, submitted as part of the planning application, said: “The condition of this part of the building presents a risk to public safety and has been assessed as requiring urgent intervention. As a precautionary measure, Mill Architects arranged for Heras fencing to be installed around the area in order to prevent public access. The Jubilee Room has also been secured internally and is not in operational use.

“Members of the Kirk Session have continued to monitor the condition of the structure and have reported a noticeable increase in the width and extent of cracking over recent months, further evidencing the ongoing progression of structural movement.

The report said “significant defects” were observed both internally and externally, indicating substantial structural movement. Externally, movement at the south-west corner of the extension has resulted in the displacement of rainwater goods, including the detachment of the downpipe, together with severe cracking to stone, window lintels and cills.

Since the structural engineer's initial inspection, further movement has been observed, indicating that the condition of the building continues to deteriorate.

The church said repairing and retaining the structure was considered, but the extent of the deterioration together with the significant cost is not a viable option

Councillors will consider the application in due course.