The proposal intends to preserve the church as part of the area’s historic interest and the surrounding graveyard will also remain untouched.
St David’s Church in Abercraf, Ystradgynlais, Powys(Image: Google)
Plans have been submitted for the conversion of a long-disused church into a family house. The applicants, Dan Borba and Veronica Kauer, have applied for a change of use for the former St David’s Church in Abercraf, Ystradgynlais, Powys.
An application lodged with Bannau Brycheiniog national park authority last year included holiday lets but that scheme was withdrawn and the revised application is for a single home. Planning agent Liam Griffiths-Downing said: “The former church was built back in 1912 and is constructed of coursed rock-faced Pennant stone with ashlar lancets.”
The building is not listed and has been vacant since 2016, when it closed due to a reorganisation of the Upper Swansea Valley into ministry areas.
On April 10, 2016, the last Eucharist service was held at the Anglican church, with the former Bishop of Brecon and Swansea, the Right Reverend John Davies, in attendance. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.
It was put up for sale in 2021, said Mr Griffiths-Downing, adding: “The applicants then bought the property and have been seeking planning permission to convert the church into a single-family dwelling, which will then be their primary residence.
“The proposal intends to preserve the church as part of the area’s historic interest and the surrounding graveyard will also remain untouched.”
On the church ground floor, the nave would be converted into open-plan space, while there would be a study room opposite the bell tower.
A home gym is proposed above the office space in the nave, and the organ chamber would be converted into a kitchen and dining room.
The vestry would be turned into an outside bin storage and utilities area by removing the existing roof and laying down a surface patio.
The chancel would include a bathroom and sitting area on the ground floor, and there would be a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor.
Mr Griffiths-Downing said: “The development proposals will provide a sustainable redevelopment of the existing St David’s Church to ensure longevity in the preservation of the building.”
A decision on the application is expected soon.
