A redundant church building in Helston’s Meneage Road could be turned into a home if planning permission is given.

The All Saints’ Centre was used as a chapel before becoming a drop in centre, but in recent years has been redundant and sitting empty.

The trustees of the Penrose Estate have now applied for permission to turn the building into a three-bedroom home, with two parking spaces.

In a statement accompanying the application, architect Tim Pickett described it as a “building of significant character”, which had a “positive presence on the street scene.”

He said there had already been a single storey extension on the side of the building that was not particularly visible from the road but did make the accommodation larger, featuring toilets and a large kitchen area.

The building would generally look the same from the outside, apart from the addition of flush fitting roof-light windows.

He added that inside it was intended for many of the features to remain, including interesting stonework and heavy timber doors.

The parking area would be created at the front of the building, to fit two cars with a turning space.

Mr Pickett said: “This application will afford the opportunity to breathe life back into a redundant building and in turn provide a high quality unit of accommodation.”

Neighbours have written to Cornwall Council in support of the application, with one saying the centre was “fast becoming a derelict eyesore.”

There is, however, concern that it would mean the loss of a lay-by that currently provides parking for three cars, for neighbouring residents.

Danny Poultney, from Meneage Road, questioned whether access to be done in such a way that at least two of the parking spaces were retained, while Mr and Mrs S Lewis said taking these spaces away would make an already difficult situation worse.

They wrote: “We would like the applicants to take this into consideration and hopefully provide private allocated parking for the three residents’ cars, or make the entrance in such a way that we can still park in the lay-by.”

Members of Helston Town Council’s planning committee supported the application, recommending it be approved provided conservation roof lights were used and the conservation officer was happy.

A final decision is due to be taken by Cornwall Council later this month.