NEW life could be breathed into an historic former church in Dunbar.

Monkscroft Property Limited wants to bring Dunbar Methodist Church back into use, with plans to turn it into a venue for weddings, functions and community use.

The proposals for a change of use, which have been submitted to East Lothian Council’s planning department, come after the developer bought the Victoria Street building last December.

It has sat vacant since the congregations of Dunbar Methodist Church and nearby St Anne’s Scottish Episcopal Church merged in 2015, with the congregation now meeting at the latter.

Few changes are proposed for the building, with the developer keen to “ensure an important part of the historic fabric of Dunbar can be retained intact for the enjoyment of future generations”.

Pippa Swan, chairwoman of the town’s community council, has already had discussions with the applicants, who live in the town and plan to operate the venue themselves.

She was “absolutely thrilled” at the plans for the site and said: “The sooner it comes back into happy reuse the better for everybody.”

The community council chairwoman noted that the building was in a prominent position in a recognisable part of the town.

She added: “There were lots of fears – it is not a listed building – that it would be knocked down and flats built or that it would be knocked down and a house would go up.

“The idea the shell is to be kept and windows restored and used as a wedding venue/social venue has been greeted incredibly warmly.”

A list of benefits for the proposed change of use are included within a supporting statement, which was submitted as part of the planning application.

Among the suggested benefits of the scheme are: that it would complement existing hotels and venues by offering a new type of space for small and intimate weddings and other ceremonies that is not currently available in the town; it would generate income for local businesses, in particular contributing to the increased use of local hotels and guest houses for short stays in and around Dunbar; and it would contribute to “the viability” of the town centre.

If the plans are given the green light, the developers hope to restore a recognisable aspect of the building.

They said: “One of the first benefits which will flow from planning permission being granted is the restoration of the stained glass windows.

“The restoration will be undertaken at significant cost by a firm of specialist craftsmen experienced in the restoration of antique ecclesiastical stained glass.”

It is hoped refurbishment works at the venue could get under way early next year.

Dunbar’s Methodist Congregation was founded in 1745 and was well established when John Wesley first visited Dunbar in 1757, where he discovered “a little society, most of them rejoicing in God their Saviour”.

The most celebrated clergyman of his day, Wesley famously founded and led the Protestant Methodist movement in the 18th century.

According to a plaque above the front door, the church was first built in 1764 and was known as the oldest existing Methodist church in Scotland.