A FORMER church could be transformed into a seven-bedroom family home.

St John’s Church in Whitecraig was put up for sale on the open market more than two years ago.

The building, which dates back to 1950, was available at offers over £100,000.

Now, plans are with East Lothian Council to transform the building, which was the daughter church of St Michael’s Church in nearby Inveresk.

An application has been submitted by Miro Rajic showing planned works including internal alterations, an extension to the rear of the church and the creation of a detached garage.

Currently, the church’s ground floor is taken up by a main hall with various smaller rooms, including a kitchen and vestibule, as well as a stage.

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Above, there is attic storage space.

Drawings included with the application show that substantial changes are planned.

The ground floor would be transformed to include four bedrooms, including one en-suite.

Two kitchen/dining areas would be created, as well as two living rooms.

There would also be two bathrooms and a staircase leading upstairs.

A conservatory/study would also be added to the building on the village’s Whitecraig Road.

Upstairs would then feature three further bedrooms, including one en-suite, as well as open space overlooking the ground floor.

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When the building was for sale, a spokesman for the Church of Scotland said: “The Presbytery of Lothian, like all Church of Scotland presbyteries, is currently consulting on a draft mission plan to determine how limited resources should be allocated to congregations over a five-year period.

“It is a road map for a realistic new era of mission to ensure that the Church is fit for purpose to meet 21st-century needs.

“Under the draft plan, the long-term future of St John’s Church in Whitecraig was in doubt, and a survey of the building concluded it was no longer financially viable to maintain, not least because the boiler needed to be replaced.”

At the time, an online petition was launched by Whitecraig Gala to ‘Save St John’s Church’ in a bid to see it turned into a “positive asset” for villagers.