Plans to demolish a former chapel and build seven homes in its place have been lodged with Monmouthshire County Council.

Hebron Hall was a Methodist chapel, built in 1864 and designed by the then minister George Dobson but it was converted to a pentecostal church in the 20th century.

One of the last large services held there was in 2009 when 160 mourners, including many civic dignitaries, attended the funeral of macebearer Graham Powell.

The building closed in the year 2000, and was sold at auction in 2019 for £216,000.

It sits between Harts and the EE shop.

Although the church is not listed, it lies in the Monmouth Conservation area and within the Area of Special Archaeological Sensitivity on account of substantial below-ground remains of Roman occupation and the town’s medieval development.

Excavations along Monnow Street have consistently uncovered archaeological evidence and any works on this site will need to demonstrate that archaeology has been taken into account in any development proposals.

In 1996, a dig took place within 50m of Hebron Hall and revealed evidence of a medieval wall.

The proposals include building mews cottages to replace the disused Pentecostal chapel and community room off Monnow Street.

A heritage statement says the building’s condition is “so poor” that it would require extensive rebuilding.

However it adds that the church will be remembered as part of the plans, as well as through the creation of a permanent public record.

The plans include creating a new walking route linking Monnow Street and Howell’s Place, to improve pedestrian connections to the town centre.

This will include seating and planting, and plaques providing a description of the original Hebron Hall to remember the former chapel.

Each house would contain two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms under the plans.

The seven homes would also come with a garage for parking, as well as cycle parking.

Three visitor parking spaces would be provided and there would also be a turning area for vehicles.

“The intention of the proposal is to create a form of development which responds successfully to the site’s potential by building upon its positive characteristics and, in the process, helping to establish a sense of place,” a design and access statement says.

The proposed scheme will require a sustainable drainage system and will come under the scrutiny of the Development Control department of Natural Resources Wales. An existing garage would also be removed under the plans, which will be assessed by Monmouthshire County Council’s planning committee.