A self-made millionaire has warned if he does not convert a church into flats it will fall into disrepair.

Plans have been submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council to convert Clermont Church in Preston Park into a block of flats.

The church on the corner of Clermont Terrace and Cumberland Road has been out of regular use since 2006.

Since then it has been used periodically to host weddings and occasionally as a stage venue.

The plans submitted by Robbie Raggio propose to convert the 19th century building into four two bedroom flats and two one bedroom properties.

The property developer warned if the he does not get planning permission church may “fall into disrepair”.

He said: “The roof needs a tremendous amount of work but it is a lovely building to convert so why leave it empty? We are in desperate need for housing so I am going to provide some.”

The church is located in the Preston Park conservation area but the plans boast the design “respects the site’s characteristics”.

Mr Raggio said: “It is sympathetically designed, only one window is going to change, the design has taken a long time to get right.

“I have spent tens of thousands already and it is becoming a money pit. We need to do something with it – if we get six flats in there it will never fall into disrepair again.”

Rooflights would also be installed on the north and south sides of the building.

The church was designed by Brighton-based architect John George Gibbins in 1877 and became the Clermont United Reformed Church before becoming the Brightwaves Metropolitan Community Church.

The full application can be viewed on the online planning register under BH2015/01419 and a decision is expected to be made by the planning committee in June.

Residents have until May 26 to formally post their comments and objections before the decision goes before the committee.