Directors of The Alverton hotel are submitting planning permission to convert a Grade II-listed former stable block and chapel in the grounds into 17 new bedrooms.

The building itself, known as St Michael’s, has been unused since 1985, when the Alverton was a convent and the stable block was used as a washhouse as well as accommodation.

It is formed around a quadrangle and incorporates a former chapel, which is believed to be an extension to the original stable block when the Alverton was converted to the home of the Sisters of the Epiphany.

Having survived vandalism, decay and dry rot in recent years, subject to gaining planning permission, the hotel’s directors are hoping to "preserve the building’s unique character".

Alverton director Roger French said: “It’s a part of the grounds that has been rather unloved, and we want to sensitively bring it back to life and celebrate its history.

“No building has a secure future without a viable use, and now we look forward to the challenge of adapting St Michael’s once again to provide the building with a strong future as part of the hotel.

“Our plans are to convert it into contemporary hotel accommodation with a meeting area and potential breakfast room, which will increase our number of bedrooms by almost half”.

The Alverton’s site is steeped in history, having been the mansion home to senior partners of the Cornish Bank. It was built for the Tweedy family in the early 1830s, as a home for William Tweedy’s 13 children.

During the 1870s, the mining industry in Cornwall began to struggle, resulting in many mine closures. The Cornish Bank had loaned money to many of these mines and found itself with a series of bad debts.

Customers lost confidence and in early 1878 there was a run on the bank, which forced its closure, and in turn forced the Tweedys to sell the Alverton.

It was a convent between 1883 and 1985, and known as “the home” to the order – the Sisters of the Epiphany.

Simon Williams, fellow director at the Alverton, said: “We’ve been investing in the hotel, it’s building and grounds since we took over in 2012. Applying to convert St Michael’s is the next step in that investment.

“St Michaels has been adapted over the years to accommodate the different uses and needs of the occupants through from grand private house to convent, and the character and history of the buildings will be central to this project.”

“Truro is raising its standards as a tourism destination all the time, and we see the Alverton playing an important part in this as well as in business development.”

The planning application is due to be submitted to Cornwall Council’s planning department later this month. The plans will also go on display at the hotel.