Fire-damaged church building ‘has a future’
THE owner of a gothic-style church which was wrecked in a massive blaze in the centre of Llanelli says there is a future for the building.
The Grade II listed Park Congregational Church, on the corner of Murray Street and Inkerman Street, was built in 1864. In August 2015 it was badly damaged in an arson attack.
The church has been up for sale since March 2020 despite interest from prospective buyers over the past year-anda-half. Owner Mahmood Hassan, a retail businessman, said further detailed talks are needed with Cadw and Carmarthenshire Council over what the potential options are for any buyer of the site.
He said: “There have been several interested parties since the church was put up for sale and I have a local contractor as part of a team who have been talking to Cadw and the county council over the past 10 months. We want to set a way forward with them in terms of what can be done with the church due to its listed status. However, a lot of what was listed was destroyed in the fire so the team is in talks still to see what the options are for any buyer.”
Mr Hassan originally had planning permission when he bought the church to use it as a space to sell furniture from as a retail shop.
Despite the huge amount of work needed to the ravaged structure he is adamant that the building has a future.
Mr Hassan said: “Every building has a future and the church is no different.
“It has potential of course and there is interest in it from buyers.
“But we are just needing further talks to see what the potential is for the church because of its listed status, which is why my team is still talking with Cadw and the council.” Following the arson attack six years ago – which saw the church roof cave in – five teenagers were arrested over the incident which saw the spire remain but the roof destroyed.
The then head of planning at Carmarthenshire Council, Eifion Bowen, described it as a “scene of devastation” at the time.
The church poses an investment opportunity after going on the market for offers in excess of £100,000 with property consultants Linnells, who state the site sits within “Llanelli town centre and comprises a Grade II listed detached former church premises of stone construction. The property also consists of a Sunday school building to the rear of the main church.” Any buyers are advised by Linnells that the “building has been significantly damaged by fire and requires a complete rebuilding programme.” Linnells points out it has potential for residential or other forms of development subject to planning approval and other consents.
Carmarthenshire Council leader Cllr Emlyn Dole said: “We had a site meeting with the property owner’s representatives in August and discussed potential options on them moving forward. We are awaiting further information from the owner. We are pleased to see progress is being made by the church owner.”
Cadw was asked to comment.