A HISTORIC Staverton church is being offered to developers to come up with ideas for future uses for the listed building.

St Paul’s Church is a late Georgian Gothic church with origins stretching back to the 13th century.

The Grade II listed building closed in 2011 due to declining attendance and is listed as being of Special Architectural and Historic Interest.

The Diocese of Salisbury wants to find a suitable alternative use for the church and is inviting ideas from developers.

At the moment the only access to the 1,422sq ft church is on foot. While the extent of churchyard to be sold will be agreed with the buyer, it is likely to extend to just a 1.5m strip around the building and pedestrian rights over the church path.

Shortlisted applicants have to make an offer and demonstrate their idea is financially viable, acceptable under planning rules and to the diocese.

Chris Dawson, from Colliers International, the diocese’s agent, said: “Prospective purchasers prepared to meet the laid down challenges should also note that acquiring a closed church can prove a protracted, if rewarding, process.”