A CHURCH in Staverton that closed down six years ago will be converted into a two-bedroom house after Wiltshire Council gave the application the go-ahead.

The Grade II-listed St Paul’s Church, along the B3105, was put up for sale in 2013 by the Salisbury Diocese following its closure in 2011 due to dwindling parishioner numbers and a dilapidated structure.

The church, which had an asking price of £50,000-£100,000, has an 18ft-high ceiling, stained-glass windows, whitewashed internal walls and will also have rooflights, a few changes to inside of the building and parking as well.

Applicant Malcolm Archer had his application approved by the authority in mid December after no concerns were raised.

It is listed as being of special architectural and historic interest.

The churchyard will not be closed and people will still be able to get to the gravestones.

Case officer Steven Sims said: “There will be a small area of amenity space for the occupants but the majority of the church area will still be open to members of the public.”