A HISTORIC 19th century church site in the centre of Trowbridge is up for sale at £2.25 million with planning consent for 26 houses and apartments.

It is on the market with Perry Bishop and Chambers of Cirencester, who say: "Our clients would consider offers for the whole site or alternatively the church separately, either as an outright sale or on a leasehold basis."

The site was formerly occupied by the United Church, which said: "It was with great sadness that we stopped worshipping at our site in Church Street because it was proving a financial burden that we could no longer afford."

The 1.1-acre site is close to St James' Church and Trowbridge town centre. Dating from the late 19th century, it contains the church as well as separate ancillary buildings.

A number of the buildings have already been used as offices and there are traditional period cottages.

The estate agents say that detailed planning permission has now been granted. It permits the conversion of all the ancillary buildings to produce 20 flats and maisonettes.

The main church itself can be converted into a single residential property, and the original cottages and offices can be converted into three houses and two flats.

The overall scheme will provide 26 self-contained residential units with car parking and landscaped gardens.

The overall total would provide some 2,275 square metres or 24,500 square feet of accommodation.

The church building is available by separate negotiation as an outright sale or on a leasehold basis. The site has two access points from Church Street for vehicles.

Potential buyers will be required to make a Section 106 contribution of £134,331.47 and provide one unit of affordable housing.