A disused chapel in a Herefordshire village could become a holiday home.

The exterior of Eardisley Methodist Chapel in the village’s Woodseaves Lane would remain unaltered but a new storey would be created inside, under plans put forward by Alan and Philippa Dixon of nearby Kington.

A letter from the Shropshire and Marches circuit of the Methodist Church accompanying their planning application says the church granted permission for worship at the chapel to end over a year ago.

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“Membership of the chapel had been declining over a number of years and stood at eight, which is below the recommended minimum of 12 for a separate society,” it said.

“The age and health of the remaining congregation was such that there remained no energy to maintain the chapel in Eardisley.”

The letter from the church added that it had considered alternative uses for the building, but these were “not felt to be practical due to its limitations, alternative community facilities in the village and the absence of local support”.

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Dating from 1867, the chapel is not a listed building but several of its neighbours within the village conservation area are.

The application says all the chapel’s remaining original features “will be retained to preserve authenticity”, with two pews kept in the ground-floor living area.

Guests would park in Woodseaves Lane, although the target market of walkers and cyclists “may not arrive with a vehicle”, it adds.

The application says the proposed one-bedroom holiday let fits with the aim in the local development plan of supporting small businesses contributing to local tourism.

Comments on the planning application, numbered 233462, can be made until January 14.