A medieval church dating back to the 12th century could be a dream home for someone, as it goes under the hammer next week.

The owner of Grade II-listed Whitson Church on the Caldicot Levels was granted planning permission by Newport City Council for a two-bedroomed home conversion last November, despite concerns from Natural Resources Wales over flooding.

And the derelict hamlet church, which is missing part of its roof but includes its own bell tower for views across the sea, is being auctioned online as a potential home conversion by Paul Fosh Auctions with a guide price of £135,000.

St Mary’s was closed 20 years ago and has fallen into disrepair, being placed on the Register of Buildings at Risk list in 2009.

It is hidden away among the hedgerows on the Caldicot Levels close to the sea wall, the Wales Coastal Path and the views across the Severn Estuary to Somerset.

The Levels were reclaimed from the sea and mudfalts by Tintern Abbey’s monks and Goldcliff Priory in the Middle Ages, creating fertile farmland and a maze of sunken drainage waterways called reens.

The landscape supports an abundance of rare insects, plants, animals and birds and includes several Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

At high-tide much of the land in the village is below sea-level, giving rise to flooding concerns during the planning process from NRW.

Fears were also raised over a stained glass window, dedicated to the memory of Herbert and Alice Stevens, paid for by their 14 children.

St Mary’s is first mentioned in documents from 1348, confirming there are elements of the building which are earlier and may date to the 12th century.

Local history records praise its fine ‘thinble tower’ and ‘pinnacle’, and Norman font, with later additions including the 15th century bell tower.

Planners gave the go ahead for a change of use two months ago despite the concerns over a one-in-200 year flood risk, saying it would see a vulnerable building saved and restored.

Sean Roper, of Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions who is handling the sale, said: “”This is a true one-off property which is already creating a great deal of interest on both sides of the Severn Estuary.”

The church is one of some 60 properties being sold at Paul Fosh Auctions with bidding starting on Tuesday, February 1, and ending at 5pm on Thursday, February 3.