PROPOSALS that would see a former chapel transformed into housing have been recommended for refusal by planning officers.

Denbighshire County Council's planning committee will consider an application - by Jones Bros - on Wednesday, September 4 for the change of use of a vacant chapel to a dwelling, demolition of lean-to store and creation of new lean-to extension and provision of new treatment plant at Capel Bryn Seion, Galltegfa, Ruthin.

The former detached chapel is located in open countryside about 120m to the West of the Bron Parc Farm complex and 3km from the centre of Ruthin.

It is understood it was built in 1860 and has been redundant since 2002. It retains its original layout as well as historic fabric, fixtures and fittings.

In a report, to be presented to the planning committee, it is stated: "The application is considered to be unacceptable in terms of the basic principles set out in Policy PSE4 as an employment use has not been demonstrated to be unviable and the dwelling is not proposed to be an affordable dwelling.

"It is the opinion of the Local Planning Authority that the principle of the development is not in accord with basic tests of the Council's planning policy relating to the conversion of rural buildings in open countryside, Policy PSE4, which requires a reasonable marketing exercise to demonstrate an employment use is not viable, and that the dwelling is affordable to meet local needs.

"As the marketing exercise for the building was only for a period of six weeks prior to auction and no details have been provided as to how the proposed dwelling will assist in meeting local housing needs or be limited to use as affordable unit."