Life will return to a chapel in Carmarthen, but not as its early pioneers would have intended, after county councillors approved a scheme to turn it into a family home. Union Street Chapel dates from the mid-19th century and has been empty for years, although a section of the rear - behind the vestry - has been used as a two-bedroom residential unit.
The residential use will now extend throughout the building, following the decision by Carmarthenshire Council's planning committee. The chapel will become a four-bedroom home, with the upstairs also comprising a games room and sewing room. The plans indicate the pulpit will be retained - and no external alterations to the building are proposed.
A key discussion point was parking. An unauthorised vehicle access has at some point been added at the chapel, and highway officers had safety concerns about vehicles using it - particularly as St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School is a few yards away on the same side of the road. You can get more Carmarthenshire news and other story updates by subscribing to our newsletters here.
