Controversial plans to demolish a disused Victorian Chapel and replace it with affordable housing have been given the green light despite stiff opposition from the local community.
Housing association Karbon Homes had requested permission to tear down the Ebenezer Chapel in the West Wylam area of Prudhoe and redevelop the site into eight one-bedroom apartments. The former Methodist Chapel closed 10 years ago due to dwindling congregations and has fallen into disuse and disrepair since.
The chapel was built in 1874, and is one of the last remaining parts of the former West Wylam coal mining village. Much of the village was demolished to make way for a modern housing estate in the 1950s.
A previous proposal for the site would have seen the building retained as part of the housing – however, following survey work the chapel was deemed economically unviable to repair. Despite this, the Project Manager of West Wylam community group the Friends of Eastwood Park Russ Greig urged councillors to reject the plans at Tuesday’s meeting of the Tynedale Local Area Planning Committee.
He said: “We understand the cost of putting the chapel right is £300,000. Surely this is a small amount to pay to retain our treasured heritage and history?
CGI images of what the new development could look like
(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
“We are a close-knit community but face issues of deprivation. West Wylam is a left-behind community, people are distanced from their civic society because it is hard enough just getting by.
“We need inwards investment to make our community better, not tearing down a shared space. When it comes down to cost, is our community worth so little?”
Martin Hawthorne, speaking on behalf of Karbon Homes, insisted the building was in too poor of a state to consider retaining.
He said: “The current church is in a serious state of decay. The foundations are failing and the gable wall is falling out. When we had a survey carried out, there was concern for the staff measuring it.
“Karbon is sympathetic to community issues. We wanted to refurbish the church, but this was deemed unviable.
“These are homes that are much-needed. We have an opportunity to help eight local residents find a home.”
The council’s development manager Kate Blyth admitted it was “regrettable” that the building would be lost. However, she claimed out no alternative scheme had come forward in the decade since the chapel closed its doors, adding the property had been marketed but no suitable offer had been forthcoming.
The derelict Ebenezer Chapel in Prudhoe.
(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
The proposals were recommended for approval by council planners. Despite this, Prudhoe councillors were reluctant to support the application.
Coun Gordon Stewart, who represents the Prudhoe South ward, said: “I think we are agreed housing is needed in the county, but this is not an ideal spot. This is more than just a church or an old building. West Wylam is a very proud community.
“Once it’s gone, it’s gone. I’m disappointed that lots of things haven’t been pushed to the nth degree. There are people who have put forward ideas for the use of the chapel.
“The easy option is to pull it down and build flats. I can’t support this application.”
Bywell councillor and West Wylam resident Holly Waddell added: “I don’t feel that all the options have been exhausted. I don’t feel comfortable voting for the loss of an asset of a community where there is not much heritage left. I can’t in conscience vote for this application.”
Prudhoe North’s Coun Angie Scott said: “I have lived in Prudhoe all my life. We are majorly short of community buildings. I feel this is a lifeline the community needs. It says it is based on housing need, but I feel there is a need for family homes in Prudhoe, not one-bedroom flats. I can’t support the application.”
However, other members of the committee were unable to find a valid planning reason to refuse the plans.
Coun Ian Hutchinson said: “It is a case of head or heart. It is with a heavy heart that I will support this application. I feel really sorry for the local people, but it has been on the market for 10 years and nothing has really happened.”
Coun Nick Oliver added: “It is clearly unviable. This is not a property deal, it is a good, positive outcome for the community. It is a shame that for this to happen, we lose a heritage asset, but I don’t see any other option.”
The plans were approved by eight votes to three.