4 days ago
Massive empty church still full of original features is for sale
Every time a church or chapel closes there's a worry from the local community and anyone who has a passion or concern for the historic buildings of Wales that it will remain empty and eventually slide into dereliction.
On a convenient corner in the Rhondda Fawr valley in the village of Ton Pentre there's a substantial church that is silent, but hoping to be the centre of activity again soon.
Ystrad Congregational Church was founded in Ton Pentre in 1870 to cater for incoming English settlers working in the local coal pits, at a time when the population of the Rhondda valleys was growing rapidly. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here .
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The church was rebuilt in its present form in 1884 and has remained virtually unaltered since that time, incorporating an interior with a three-sided gallery and a basement that housed a Sunday School.
But it closed for worship in 2020 and has remained empty ever since. However, in 2022 there was a chance for the building to become homes and situated within walking distance of the high street shops, cafes, takeaways and pubs as well as the railway station, it seemed like an ideal location to create multiple abodes.
The proposal in 2022 to convert the former Ystrad English Congregational Church into 11 homes by Taff Developments Ltd was for a mixture of one and two-bed flats across four floors.
It was reported at the time of the planning decision that these would be flats for sale but the section 106 agreement will require a financial contribution equal to 30% of the open market value of one of the two-bedroom flats.
The application was approved by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's planning committee on Thursday, November 3, 2022. Planning officers recommended approval and said: 'The proposed development would contribute towards the local housing supply and provide a range of one and two-bedroom flats in a sustainable and convenient location.
'In addition, the reuse and conversion of the building would secure the retention of a prominent and attractive building, remove opportunities for dereliction, and result in a positive impact to the street scene.
'Whilst there are concerns the site is physically incapable of providing any off-street parking, these have been set against the benefits of the re-use of the site and its proximity to local facilities and the rail and bus network.'
The planning report said that, apart from this and general replacement and repair works, the footprint, scale and form of the building would be unaltered, since the majority of the works would be internal. An historic building recording of the chapel was carried out in 2024 prior to conversion to flats but the structure is not listed.
Now the building is for sale for £175,000 with Property Plus Estate Agents, call 0800 043 7300 to find out more. For more property stories and home content join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
