Developer drops plan to pull down church and build flats
A DEVELOPER has dropped its plans to demolish an historic Rhondda church and build flats there, opening the door for a community facility on the site.
Newydd Housing Association says it won’t appeal the council’s decision to refuse its plans to demolish St Anne’s Church in Ynyshir and turn it into 18 flats as it wants to encourage residents to come up with plans for a community facility.
The application was rejected by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s planning and development committee on July 4 because of the size of the development.
There were 95 letters sent to the planning department opposing the development and a petition signed by 204 people.
At the planning meeting residents and the local councillor said it was a much-loved building and they wanted to turn it into a community hub.
Following on from this decision by the committee and considering the evidence put forward by residents against the proposed housing development, Newydd has confirmed it will not to appeal the verdict at this stage.
Councillor Darren Macey who represents Ynyshir on Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said it’s “absolutely fantastic”.
“We really appreciate that they’ve taken on board everything we have said and understanding what this means for the community.”
He said they are currently in the process of putting a number a few bids together for projects and said it’s important that the Church of Wales is on board.
“I hope that they can support us in this to preserve the identity of the church.”
Paul Roberts, chief executive at Newydd Housing Association, said: “We could take forward an appeal against this decision, however, after careful consideration we have decided as an organisation to step back and give the local community the opportunity to put forward proposals to the Church in Wales for a community facility at St Anne’s Church.
“We recognise the importance of listening to residents before making decisions and feel this is the right way forward.
“We would like to reiterate that our opinion on the need for affordable homes in the area has not changed.
“If there is no viable option for community use at St Anne’s Church, we would be interested in revisiting the opportunity of providing affordable homes at this Church in Wales site.” DEMOLITION work on the muchloved Guildford Crescent in Cardiff has begun.
Most of the crescent, one of the city centre’s last remaining Victorian terraces, will be pulled down despite thousands of people joining a campaign to save the buildings.
Only the frontages and front roof panes of the 19th-century buildings will be saved, with site-owners the Rapport family getting to work on demolishing the rest of the structures.