A CHAPEL may be converted into a house and flats, if planners give the scheme the go ahead.

The proposal involves converting a former baptist chapel in Church Street, Kempsey, into a house and three flats.

The plans by applicant Severn Developments UK Ltd will come before Malvern Hills District Council planning committee today for a decision.

Planning officers have recommended that the plans, which keep the facade of the original church, be approved.

In the past developers have applied to demolish the empty chapel and replace it with detached houses but this was refused in December 2003 only for outline permission to be granted in April the following year.

The new scheme aims to keep the facade of the chapel, although the proposal has caused some concern with Kempsey Parish Council which supports the scheme in principle.

The council wanted to keep the church building but objected over concerns the structure would need to be raised to stop flooding.

The building is in the floodplain and planning officers say developers will have to raise the floor level above the level of flood waters and provide a dry escape route. The Environment Agency has no objection to the scheme.

The parish council was also concerned that the size of the new building, which forms part of the development, would obscure the view of the chapel.

Terry Ward, vice-chairman of the parish council, said: "We would welcome the development of the site. The obvious questions were about whether it would interfere with the flood plain in any way. Anything that would cause flooding to other properties would be of concern.

"As long as the common- sense issues are satisfied most people will say it's okay. People next door perhaps think it's an overwhelming development but as long as developers apply the rules we go along with it."