A village church which has been vacant for over three years is set to undergo some major changes.

Cheshire East Council has greenlit plans to convert Snelson Methodist Church into a three-bedroom dwelling.

It is deemed that the plans, submitted by Henty Capital Limited, would breathe new life into the Georgian chapel which held its last service in September 2022.

In a report recommending the plans for approval, case officer Joseph Laughton wrote: "The principle of the proposed residential conversion is acceptable and the public benefit of doing so would clearly and demonstrably outweigh the less than substantial harm to the non-designated heritage asset resulting from the proposed fenestration alterations."

Snelson Methodist Church on Pepper Street in Snelson, west of Macclesfield (Credit: Google Maps)

A previous application, from the same applicant, was withdrawn due to concerns that the surrounding graveyard limited private amenity space for future occupiers of the dwelling.

This latest application, submitted in July 2025, explains that efforts have been made to contact those with an interest in the graves.

Over the period of 18 months, six parishioners got in touch and as such, the applicant agreed not to move or disturb the headstones linked to these people.

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However, a majority of the headstones will be relocated around the boundaries of the site.

With these concerns addressed, Cheshire East Council formally approved the application on Monday, January 26.

The aforementioned report adds: "Thee benefit in this instance is two-fold.

"The provision of one new residential unit towards the council's housing supply targets.

"Securing the upkeep and optimum viable use of the existing building, which has fallen into disuse due to declining congregations and loss of its communal value."