PLANS to convert a historic chapel into a coffee house have been approved.

Proposals for the Sutton Oak Welsh Chapel, on the corner of Lancots Lane, were sent in to the council in 2021.

Applicant Heather Sheikhlou submitted the plans, which also include for a self-contained residential flat to the rear and creation of a porch.

Internal refurbishments will be done to convert the main hall into a coffee shop.

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Sutton Oak Welsh Chapel, which is more than 175 years old, is believed to be the third oldest listed building in St Helens and, uniquely, was partly built using industrial waste.

The chapel was funded by the Wesleyan Methodists in 1845 and was partly constructed using cobbles made out of copper slag that were donated by local firm Newton Keates & Co.

In 1893 the Wesleyans moved to new premises and the chapel was handed over to the Welsh community who used it as an undenominational, nonconformist place of worship. The Welsh had been employed in large numbers at Newton Keates & Co’s Copper Works in Sutton Oak and Rolling Mill factory in Watery Lane.

The chapel began to play a hugely important role in the lives of Welsh people living in St Helens as the so-called ‘Welsh Revival’ gathered speed in the early 20th century with the building hosting a number of revivalist meetings.

After many years of closure the Sutton Oak Welsh Chapel Preservation Society revived the building and it now hosts regular practices and performances by the Celebration Choir along with a Sunday service.

In September 2021, the trustees of the building made the decision to the put the building up for auction when it was purchased by the applicant.

A heritage statement in the plans said: “The proposed works will have very little impact on the external and listed features of the chapel building. Any changes to the external building would be minimal”.

It added: “The internal refurbishment of Sutton Oak Chapel will create a space for the wider St Helens community to enjoy one of the town’s unique and oldest buildings”.

It said the applicant is “mindful of the listed building status and also the historic standing of the building in the town and is committed to the business having a long term presence in the building the owner of both”.

It concluded: “The overall positive impact of the proposed works will bring a much loved historic building to the front of the immediate residents of modern residential estates and encourage visits from the wider St Helens community.

"Our client is very experienced in the hospitality and catering sector and is committed to making the venture a success”.

St Helens Council has granted the application formal permission.