They want to alter the former church at 1667 Lyell Road and have asked the City of Greater Bendigo for permission.

The Bible Christian Church is currently in private hands and would be used as a three bedroom B&B and dwelling, with a new building being added at the back of the structure for extra floor space.

"The new built form [would be] complementary of the church building, by adopting a restrained contemporary form which is sited to the rear of the church," developers told the council.

More news: Offender stabbed his brother, assaulted his mother during series of attacks

"This allows the original building to remain prominent when viewed from the road, whilst also accommodating a new modern addition to the rear, which brings a new life to the site."

Developers said the new building would be lower in height from the church. It would have a similar roof pitch but use timber and glazing gables to create a contemporary feel.

The only church wall that would have to be altered would be the rearmost one, which was a later addition to the building, they told the council.

"As such, all elements that contribute to the importance of the heritage place are retained," the developers said.

They believe landscaping can also enhance the building's heritage value but say eight trees will need to be removed.

Most were not large and none were significant, the developers said.

All had grown in the church's old car park and tennis court, they said.

More news: Axedale block proposed as site for 43 homes

The church building is one of the few remaining clues of the "substantial" mining community that worked rivers near Redesdale, according to a 1993 heritage study by the then Shire of Metcalf.

"The construction of the present bluestone church building in 1875 reflects the expansion of the population as the surrounding area was opened up for settlement," it said.

"The church was an important spiritual centre, initially for members of the Bible Christian Church and after 1880, for Presbyterians."

The council is currently considering the application for the heritage alteration and is expected to make a decision at a later date.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: