Old chapel may be converted to flats

A DISUSED chapel in a Gwynedd village could be converted into residential flats.

Planners are recommending the scheme be granted permission by councillors.

The application is to convert the redundant chapel and school-room into seven residential flats and create a new vehicular access and parking spaces within the site at the former Capel Ebeneser in Deiniolen near Caernarfon.

The scheme was due to be discussed by members of Gwynedd Council’s planning committee on Monday.

It was previously discussed last autumn when it was deferred for further details to be provided.

In a report to the committee, officials said those details had now been provided.

The concerns varied from the need of such housing in the village to protecting gravestones within the site.

The report said: “Further information was received from a qualified local estate agent company stating there is a real need for this type of residential units in Deiniolen with 30 enquiries on average for each affordable rental unit that have been applied for affordability.

“They also have 62 applicants on their list looking for property in the Deiniolen catchment area which is a mix of first-time buyers and those looking for smaller units.”

The applicant’s agent has also confirmed the cemetery in the northeastern corner of the site will be protected by installing a security fence during the construction work.

This will be removed once work is completed and a management plan will be provided to cut the grass and for general maintenance including cleaning the memorial stones.

Measures will also be taken during the construction work to protect a culvert from damage.

Planning officers are recommending the scheme be granted permission subject to conditions.