A LETTER has been written to the chairman and chief executive of Sainsbury's appealing against an historic York chapel being turned into a supermarket.

York-based developer S Harrison has agreed terms to buy the Grade II-listed Groves Chapel in Clarence Street after it was put up for sale by York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Under the plans it would be turned into a supermarket and flats, but since the £5 million scheme was announced, more than 500 people have signed a petition against the proposals for the new supermarket and a group of Union Terrace residents have also vowed to fight it.

A Christian group which bid to restore the chapel and to use it for religious services, youth clubs, a community meeting place and place for hospital visitors, has written to David Tyler and Mike Coupe, the chairman and chief executive of Sainsbury's, owners and directors of S Harrison, City of York Council planning department and MP Hugh Bayley , appealing for a re-think.

Paul Mason, of The Hope Centre, wrote in the letter to Sainsbury's: "The current plan is to convert this building into a Sainsbury’s supermarket, I presume on the ground floor, and 26 flats. We fail to see how this development could take place on a listed building without destroying the beautiful internal structure of this building.

"To that end we will respectfully seek to petition the various council departments and to utilise any other legal processes available to us in order to stop the demise of this historical building, should a formal application be made."

"Can I therefore ask you to put an end to your partnership arrangement with developer S.Harrison of York and stop this proposed destruction of a historical landmark building."

The Hospital Trust bought the methodist chapel, which was built in 1883 and also features a more recent two-storey extension to the rear, in the 1970s and had used it as a training centre and storage facility.

The York Hospital Trust has said it is obliged to dispose of assets it does not use and to go for the offer most beneficial for the NHS.

If York council approves the plans, due to be submitted early next year, work would start in summer 2015.

Paul Sellers, regional acquisitions manager for Sainsbury's, said: "We’re planning to open a local convenience store on Clarence Street as part of a wider scheme run by S Harrison Developments. The store, which would create up to 20 new full and part-time jobs, would provide more choice for nearby neighbours and ensure that the former Groves Chapel once again plays an important role in the local community.

"Since we issued letters announcing our plans, a number of residents have contacted us with positive comments, including the need for more jobs in the area and how convenient a store here would be for those living nearby. A full planning application will be submitted to City of York Council by S Harrison Developments in the coming weeks and we will keep the local community updated as the project moves forward."

An online petition signed by more than 500 people against the decision states: "This beautiful and historic building has so much potential and should be reserved for the benefit of the city and its residents. We do not need another Sainsbury's.. this building is part of [York's] heritage."

Union Terrace residents have said it is unsuitable to set up the supermarket so close to recovering alcoholics in Arc Light and said they fear congestion, parking and anti-social behaviour will arise with the supermarket and the "advent of yet another cheap alcohol outlet".