A FORMER chapel in Abergavenny is to become an art gallery.

The Bethany Baptist Chapel in Market Street was last used by community recycling project ‘Homemakers’ when it leased the building from the Welsh Development Agency until it was sold in 2005 amid speculation about its future.

The Grade II-listed building was built in 1882 at a cost of £1,.240 and has had a number of uses since it ceased to be used as a place of worship in 1990.

One of the deacons was the very well-known retired farmer Ivor Lewis, of Llanfoist Farm, Abergavenny, who died aged 101.

Since then it has been used as a Museum of Childhood, and most recently as a site office for the Brewery Yard redevelopment after it was bought by Pauline Griffiths, who also owns The Art Shop, Cross Street.

Mrs Griffiths has carried out refurbishments to the building, whilst protecting its unique character, and is now proposing to carry out the second phase of the conversion with little change to the structure.

She has asked the council for permission to change the use of the former chapel into an art gallery featuring retail and exhibition space.

The plan also includes creating a kitchen area, toilets, office and disabled lift.

If approved the gallery will be completed by the end of the year and create six full-time jobs.

Cadw, the Welsh historic monuments organisation, listed the building for its special interest as an imposing late 19th century Gothic chapel with interesting Arts and Crafts features.

Monmouthshire council has yet to consider the application.