THE prospect of bringing Lye and Wollescote Chapels back to life will take a step closer next Wednesday with an open event at the Cemetery Road site.

Although the site currently belongs to Dudley Council, there are plans to transfer ownership to the West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust.

The site has remained derelict for some time, but Trust volunteers have identified the building’s potential and want to take full ownership of the building under the council’s asset transfer programme - which takes unused council property back into community ownership.

The Trust has already obtained initial development support from the Heritage Lottery Fund as members attempt to bring the property back into both community and commercial use.

The Victorian chapels are listed buildings and a rare surviving example of two chapels within a single building, which was originally designed as a Victorian landscaped park.

Over the years, the chapels have played an important role within the community as a burial site.

In addition to refurbishing the site, the Trust wants to promote the historic importance of the building using trails, booklets, display materials, resources for schools, a website and tours.

Trust members hope the open evening, taking place from 4pm to 8pm, will encourage support for the Heritage Lottery Fund bid.