Plans to convert aformer Pembrokeshire chapel into residential flats have been submitted, breathing new life into the historic site.

Plans to convert Haverfordwest’s former Wesleyan Chapel, once the site of a regular place for preaching by John Wesley himself, to 15 flats have been lodged with Pembrokeshire County Council.

Applicant Sergejs Lavrionvis, through agent Vitaly + Partners ltd, seeks permission for 15 flats at Haverfordwest’s former Wesleyan Chapel, Chapel Lane, comprising of eight one-bed and seven two-bed flats.

Accompanying documents say Haverfordwest was a regular place of preaching for John Wesley, the founding father of Methodism, first visiting in 1763, with the first chapel built in 1772. By 1781 there were 60 members in the town, the largest congregation in the Pembrokeshire Circuit.

The chapel was rebuilt in 1818 and enlarged in 1835; the adjoining schoolroom built in 1874, with further chapel works in 1880-1.

The chapel closed in 1985 and the interior was stripped for use as an antiques showroom.

A supporting statement says: “The new proposal is to accommodate 15 flats; one flat in a basement, two flats in smaller section of the former Wesleyan Chapel and 12 flats in main building of former Wesleyan Chapel. All the flats are accessed from communal staircase hall.”

It adds: “The main factor to support proposed development is in fact it was approved few times in the past. The works already began, and the original layout and external elements are damaged and deteriorated. The building was abandoned and not maintained in any way. It did not look pretty and had a negative impact on the residents of the town.

“The building has had its original use adopted numerous of times to suit the needs of the particular time period and serve the town accordingly. The maintenance work to the building has already shown how much cleaner and more beautiful the building appearance became, and it has had good impact on the residents who shared their views on social media talking positively about the renovation works on the building.

“Although, it is proposed substantially change the former Wesleyan Chapel, changes will be focused only on necessary elements of the building to ensure it performs adequately for its proposed new use of residential accommodation.

“It appears that proposed works would deliver new continues life to the building and its surrounding area providing additional accommodation.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.