THE conversion of a crumbling church building into a house could be "spectacular end exemplary," according to a heritage officer.

St Paul's Church on the outskirts of in Denholme dates back to 1846. It was closed in 1999 due to dry rot, which the church said would be too expensive to repair, and has remained empty ever since.

Now a planning application has been submitted by Sean Kennedy that would see the imposing building repaired and turned into a dwelling.

Similar plans to convert the church, on Halifax Road, were approved in 2004, but work never began, and the building's condition has got so bad that it is now at risk of collapse, according to Bradford Council heritage officers.

The development will feature a central courtyard, complete with water feature, solar panels and a biomass boiler, and will retain the church's memorial stones.

There will also be space for guest accommodation.

The application adds: "The proposed conversion guarantees the long-term future of the building."

The building is surrounded by a graveyard, but this will not be altered by the building's conversion.

Bradford Council is expected to make a decision on the application later this month, but the plans have already been praised by its Heritage Officer Jon Ackroyd, who described it as a "visionary scheme."

He said: "The dominant feature is the tall imposing spire at the western end. Within, the nave and aisles are open and have been stripped of all furnishings except a handful of pews.

"The building is now in a poor condition with the principal issue being damage to the roof which has allowed protracted water ingress. This has led to saturation of the walls, stimulating rot of the timber laths behind the plaster finishes, and also to decay in the roof timbers and plaster ceiling. Sections of the ceiling have now collapsed and the whole is highly precarious.

"The building is now close to a major failure of the roof which would prejudice its long term survival.

"Such buildings are challenging to adapt to new uses given their scale, character and cost. That a new owner is prepared to invest in a visionary scheme to adapt the building and has demonstrated firm commitment to implementing the conversion should be embraced.

"This conversion has potential to be spectacular and exemplary. The church is now in urgent need of repair and revitalisation, and few similar opportunities can be envisaged.

"The internal scheme is bold but will continue to allow appreciation of the structure, detailing and fabric of the building, whilst also facilitating a new sustaining use."

Denholme Town Council has also supported the scheme.