A 181-YEAR-OLD town centre chapel could be lost to the community unless planners allow a mixed use redevelopment providing new homes alongside the place of worship.

The minister of Grade II-listed Lydney Baptist Chapel on the town’s High Street says the “once beautiful building” has deteriorated to such an extent that it may have to close if plans to part-convert it are not accepted.

Forest of Dean planning officers initially recommended refusal for a plan for three apartments on the upper floor, and the replacement of the hall and reading room with four new houses.

But chapel minister Rev Alison Griffiths and her congregation are hopeful the developers can now come up with amended proposals that save the building, opposite Tesco, for the wider community and keep worship on the site.

In a heartfelt plea to the Forest Council’s planning department earlier this year, Rev Griffiths said the 1836-built chapel had served the community well over many years, but had “sadly deteriorated to the point that sections of it are dangerous, as cold and damp took a firm hold decades ago.”

The congregation which once numbered 140 had “dwindled significantly… and the costs of maintaining the building are well beyond” their means.

The worshippers “cannot afford to repair or maintain the building”, she said, which in its current state is impossible to heat and “completely unsuitable for community use”.

Other problems included plaster falling onto pews forcing the closure of the balcony, difficult access and dilapidated windows and flooring which need restoring or replacing.

Rev Griffiths added: “We are also embarrassed by the state of the building outside and acutely aware that it adversely affects the neighbouring residential and commercial properties… Once a distinctive presence on the High Street, it has long been known as a local eyesore.”

With a price tag of at least £450,000 to simply repair and upgrade, worshippers decided after four years of consideration that the only way ahead was to convert the chapel to a mixed use site, so renovations could be funded from the new homes.

“As most of those making the decision were in their 80s and came to church as children, they have a deep seated affection for the building as it stands, so altering this much loved building has been an exceptionally difficult decision for them,” said the minister.

The history and theology graduate added that their plan would allow worship to continue on the site, preserve the heritage of the building, create facilities for the wider community and provide affordable housing in the town centre.

“Without a clear purpose for its continued use, it remains in danger of being lost completely,” she warned.

Planning officers recommended refusal of the initial plans, citing concerns over the partial demolition of a listed building, lack of car parking and amenity space, the overlooking of neighbouring properties, and potential effects on ecology and air quality.

Forest councillors have now deferred a decision until September for developers to rethink the scheme.

And Rev Griffiths said this week: “The planning officer has been very helpful in discussions and we’re hopeful we can come up with a plan that suits everyone, the congregation and the wider community.

“I think everyone wants the chapel saved, but the plan needs to be both doable and sustainable for the future.

“A lot of chapels have just gone into total residential use, but it would be such a shame for the community to lose a place with such history in the centre of the town.

“Older buildings have to be able to able to serve the community to survive into the future, and we’ve already had discussions about various groups using the building during the week if we can get the building renovated.”