Deiniolen chapel’s flat conversion plans

A former Deiniolen chapel could be converted into apartments if given the green light by Gwynedd Council planners.
An application has been submitted to convert Capel Ebenezer, rebuilt in 1858, into five two bedroom and two one bedroom flats on the village’s high street.
According to the applicants, the development would meet a growing need in the area for smaller, rented accommodation and mean that the disused chapel would be given a new use after years of having lain dormant.

“The property was first marketed in January 2013 and eventually sold in October 2018. There has been very little interest and many disused chapels are currently on the market,” the supporting documents note.
“With the changes in policy with the adoption of the JLDP the options to develop these properties has become far more limited.
“It is now the consideration of many agents that disused chapels will no longer be seen as a development opportunity and many will fall into a state of disrepair.”
It went on to state that the conversion would create work for local builders and building merchants: “It is clear that the provision of 5 x2 bed apartments and 2 x1 bedroomed apartments in the Deiniolen area will bring far reaching benefits safeguarding and supporting the continued growth of the Welsh language by allowing native Welsh speakers who cannot afford larger properties to remain in their home community.”
Its expected that Gwynedd Council’s planning department will consider the application over the coming weeks.

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter