RESIDENTS of the Calstock parish are being asked to give their views on plans for the redundant Albaston Chapel which include the Calstock archive and a public space for the community to use.

The parish council needs to get the backing of the public to go ahead with the work to refurbish the chapel, which is expected to cost in excess of £100,000, and will be holding a consultation day on September 28.

Ideas from the public have been sought to breathe life back into the late 19th century building rather than board up the windows and leave it vacant. The chapel, which is owned by the parish council, was closed two years ago as only three services a year were held there and it was not viable to keep it open.

Set in a picturesque spot overlooking the Tamar Valley, the building is surrounded by a cemetery which is still in use, so any activities taking place would have to be acceptable in a place of rest.

Initial suggestions from the parish council were a display area, museum, theatre, sport or workshops. However, when Calstock Archive, which is currently situated in a small office in the Tamar Valley Centre, came forward as a possible user and wanting to extend its opening hours and displays, plans were worked up with this in mind.

Chairman of the council's Albaston Cemetary Chapel working party Dick Hoile said the Calstock Archive provided the most suitable use for the building and it allowed volunteers to carry out their research in a more spacious environment as well as put on exhibitions and invite the public in to do their own research and genealogy.

The building will be divided into a space for archive storage and a public space which can also be used for meetings and communal events. It would be leased to the archive.

'We need to put in a new heating system, disabled loo and a ramp to bring it up to current standards but the external building will change very little,' he said. 'We have to secure planning permission for change of use on the building and the next step is to get the public's backing.

'The chapel will be open on September 28 between 10am and 4pm where the plans will be on display and people can see the excellent work of the Calstock Archive. We are hoping to raise most of the money from grant funding as there are grants out there for refurbishing old buildings.'

Mr Hoile said the space would allow the archive to become more dynamic in the community.

Anyone who cannot make the consultation day can pop in and see the plans in the parish council office in the Tamar Valley Centre but they need to make an appointment first on 01822 835038.