NEW plans are proposed to reopen a Grade II listed chapel in St Columb Minor as a place of worship.

A listed building consent planning application has been submitted for the renovation of St Columb Minor Methodist Church in Church Street, which includes the installation of roof mounted PV panels.

Pre application advice was previously put forward for the reconfiguration of the church to accommodate a worship space, offices, a cafe, all under one leaseholder church group.

The proposed layout includes extra toilets to both the chapel and the rear extension, a mezzanine level to the worship space and extra office space above a new toilet area in the chapel portion of the building.

Dart Architects, on behalf of the applicant, in the planning statement, said: “The current proposals propose the restoration of the primary use of the proposal site as a place of worship.

“A potential tenant has been identified by our client and negotiations on a lease are understood to be underway. This would restore the original use of the building.

“The proposal to retain and regularise the use of the Sunday School as a single residential unit supported by the use of the north link and north vestry is advanced as an optimal viable use for this part of the building which will ensure overnight presence on the site, supporting security of the church when not in use.

“The external appearance is mostly unchanged. Existing elements are to be renovated. The pointed/dated windows on the rear extension are to be replaced with sliding doors to allow access from the café space to a small hardstanding area. Windows to the extension are to be replaced with modern casement windows.

“The forecourt of the chapel is to be repaired and made good. The gravel area to the left is to be replaced with granite setts to extend the current forecourt area and tidy.

“The northern hardstanding is to be reduced to allow for native landscaping, three parking spaces, a bin and recycling store and a small patio in front of the café area.

“Existing historic fabric will be retained wherever possible and repaired rather than replaced.

“All new materials will be compatible with the existing structure in terms of breathability, strength, and appearance. Works to the listed building will be carried out by suitably qualified contractors experienced in historic buildings.

“The existing floor will be removed and replaced with a new suspended timber floor.”

The heritage impact statement submitted as part of the plans raised concerns the building has continued to suffer from vandalism and theft since 2022.

It stated: “The continued disuse is legible externally through the necessary boarding of the windows, which advertises the vacancy of the building to potential intruders.”

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Previous plans to convert the former St Columb Minor Methodist Church into two apartments as well as demolish a flat roof extension and replace it with six more apartments was refused by Cornwall Council on the grounds of negative impact on the historic environment, lack of parking and lack of amenity space.