Iconic Kilmarnock building to become a church as structural changes are approved

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Kilmarnock's most iconic building looks set to be transformed into a church.The former Royal Bank of Scotland building at The Cross in the town centre is to undergo a number of minor structural changes after they were approved by East Ayrshire Council planners.Applicant Densley James now has permission to construct a new toilet and an access ramp at the listed building.The famous dome structure has been the subject of much speculation for many years as establishing a use for the building proved difficult.The finer detail of Mr James' plan for the site remains shrouded in mystery for the time being.Documents show that Mr James owns the building and states that he intends on turning the B-listed structure into a church.Papers filed with the local authority show Mr James' registered address as being in Irvine with the MacAdam Place, South Newmoor Industrial Estate site also the headquarters of his business, Creation Destination UK Limited.Mr James' business SIGMA Engineering Product Design, which, the website states, is one of Scotland’s leading specialists in energy-saving ventilation products and services, is also based out of the same address.The immediately recognisable building opened in May 1939 and is two stories tall and capped off with a five-bay domed rotunda.In 2020, we reported that East Ayrshire Council had stalled plans to buy the former RBS building for £400,000.East Ayrshire Council planned to purchase the property to kick off a refurbishment by group Celebrate Kilmarnock.But a survey has revealed the building is worth well under the asking price of £400,000.It also showed it is in a worse state of repair than thought.Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines –sign up to our free daily newsletter here