By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
An historic chapel which needs thousands of pounds of repairs could be turned into a domestic home.
A planning application lodged on July 14 says Orston Methodist Church in Chapel Street, Orston, near Bingham, is only used for religious services twice a month and for social gatherings “no more than once a month”.
The building was first used as a chapel in 1869.
The application reads: “Attendance at all these occasions was generally sparse. The chapel lacks disabled facilities and the estimated cost of providing them along with general necessary refurbishment was £80,000.
“The small congregation had decided to transfer to the parish church for worship, as it has a disabled toilet and good refreshment facilities, and is also underused.
“Between the church, the village hall and the public house there are more than ample alternative venues in Orston for all the community activities which formerly took place in the chapel.”
Documents state the owner of the chapel wishes to sell on the property so it can be used as a home.
The plans will now be considered by Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Planning Committee.
Orston, which sits just off the A52 between Nottingham and Grantham, is also home to the second least used train station in Britain.
