PLANS to turn a former Dulais Valley chapel in to a care home have been handed in to Neath Port Talbot council.
If approved they could eventually see the former Salem Calvinistic Methodist Chapel in Brynawel, Crynant converted in to a residential care home.
The plans were handed in to the authority by Atrium Planning Consultants in June for the building which has reportedly been vacant and unused for a “prolonged period”.
The chapel is understood to have been built in 1867 and closed for the final time in 2017.
It lies in a residential area of Neath Port Talbot and currently consists of a main chapel building along with a single-storey school room and is described as being in a good condition.
A section of the plans said the proposals would be for internal works only to convert to a dwelling with no works planned to the roof or loft.
They said: “Salem Chapel is identified as a building of local importance recognised for its architectural and cultural value within the Crynant area.
“The proposed development has been designed to retain and respect the building’s historic fabric, scale, and external appearance.
“The submitted scheme is focused on internal reconfiguration to deliver a viable care home layout with no harmful alteration to the principal elevations or the defining external architectural features that contribute to its local significance.”
A marketing report said the change of use at the chapel would secure the building’s long-term future and not result in “unacceptable deficiency” in religious or community provision.
The plans will now be considered by Neath Port Talbot Council’s planning department over the coming months.
