PLANS for both Colwell and Wellow Baptist churches to be redeveloped have been submitted to the Island planning department.

The proposals include replacing both the 19th century chapel, and the adjacent hall, in Colwell and the chapel at Wellow being renovated into two semi-detached houses.

A further disused property, next to Colwell Baptist Church, would also be knocked down and three houses built in its place.

Minister of Colwell Baptist Church, Dave Burton, said: "B&R Developments Ltd, who are overseeing this project, have purchased the site next to our church building using a loan from an independent charity called Rural Ministries.

"The profit from the new housing will go towards providing our new church building.

"We are exploring this as a way forward because the chapel is in urgent need of structural repair and renovation which would cost tens of thousands of pounds.

"This way, we will be provided with a brand new church building which could equally function as a local community venue, serving not only as a home to the church’s existing community projects, but also giving room to increase its impact in the local area.

"For example, our congregation is keen to extend the scope of its existing community cafe, The Hub, our current pattern of monthly community lunches, and the impact of the Freshwater Foodbank, which currently operates out of the church hall.

"The now disused Baptist chapel in Wellow will be renovated into two semi-detached houses but the plans will honour and preserve the character of this historic chapel, the first Baptist church to be built on the Island around 1815.

"Another temporary structure on the site at Wellow, which served as the old church hall, will also be demolished and an additional house built there.

"At the moment, we haven’t decided where we might be based while all the building work is going on. If planning permission is granted, then we can start considering a likely timescale of building works."

An outline planning application has been submitted by the church and plans are available to view online via the council website.