RELATIVES of people buried in a former churchyard in Malmesbury say they are being prevented from getting in to visit the graves.

A covenant on the burial ground at the former Moravian Church in Oxford Street states that it must be left open during the day.

But an increasing number of people are complaining that the gates are permanently locked.

Town clerk Jeff Penfold said: “We have been approached numerous times by people who have travelled long distances to visit the graves of relatives buried in what was the Moravian church yard and they find that access has been barred.”

The church shut down in 2008 and planning permission was granted the following year to convert it into a home. It and the schoolroom were bought by Frank Faryab, however the burial ground could not be sold and was only leased to him.

Mr Faryab owns two grade two listed buildings in the same street.

The dilapidated state of the Manor House has been the subject of complaints to planning officials over several years, while dormer windows were installed in the Manse without planning permission triggering a drawn out legal dispute.

A spokeswoman at the Moravian Church headquarters in London confirmed they had also received complaints about the lack of access.

“It is becoming quite a problem,” she said.

Notice had been served and the church was trying to resolve the issue.

“We are doing the best we can to ensure he adheres to the terms of his lease.”

The Standard approached Mr Faryab through his agent for a comment, but he has yet to respond.