ST JAMES' Parish Church in Wyesham is planning on applying for around £250,000 worth of funding from the Big Lottery Fund (BLF).

The money would go to the church, which was completed in 1875 and transforming it into a community hub that a number of groups can use.

Currently, the church is impractically laid out and out of date in a number of areas including the kitchen, seating and organ. There is a porta-loo as the only toilet available and a lack of storage space available.

The plans include stripping out the existing kitchen and replacing it with a professional cooking space that can cope with meetings and events.

Above this would be a gallery with a glass barrier to allow those inside to still appreciate the stained glass windows at the rear of the church.

Toilets would be built on the outside of the existing door to the kitchen area, to increase space and provide dedicated facilities that include a baby changing area. In the past, there was originally a room in the same space, but due to poorly laid foundations, it had to be pulled down many years ago.

There will be a ramp built and a level floor added to the porch to allow for an un-stepped access to the building, while the nave will be stripped back to allow for a large open space for community groups to use.

Finally, a new vestry/office will be created in the space where the organ currently is, with the existing instrument set to be replaced with a keyboard rather than directly replacing it.

The money for these changes would come from BFL's People and Places scheme, which funds projects throughout Wales that encourage co-ordinated plans from people who want to improve the communities they live in.

This scheme is also able to be used to support a job role, creating a community warden who can drive the projects forward and help generate income to continue existing ideas and generate new ones.

A similar set-up was created a short way down the River Wye at Hewelsfield, where a community shop was built which also acts as a cafe, I.T. space and micro-post office.

St Joseph's has spoken to Hewelsfield and received a lot of advice which it has incorporated into the plans.

The project, which has the backing of both the Diocese and Parochial Church Council, will keep the chancel as it's specified sacred space – an area of the church that is specifically dedicated to worship and is not to be given over to multi-purpose use.

One of the biggest parts of the proposed changes will be connecting the church up to mains drainage.

"I envisage the church going back to what churches were originally about – being part of the community," said Reverend Penny Powdrill, from St James' Church.

"There is a coffee morning at the end of each month and it is always heaving.

"At the next morning, we will present the plans to interested parties who are welcome to come along, and there will be a bring and buy stall, cake sale and a pianist playing music in the background.

"The plans will be on display and people on hand to answer questions or receive comments."

To have a look at the proposals, the next coffee morning is on Saturday 28th March between 10am and 12pm.