PLANS for improvements to a chapel in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s newest conservation area, made by one of its own officers, have been approved.
Designated in 2024, the Cresswell Quay Conservation Area is the National Park’s newest conservation area.
Applicant Rob Scourfield, a national park officer, had applied in his role as secretary of Pisgah Baptist Chapel, Cresswell Quay, for the reconstruction of a shed adjacent to the chapel and construction of ramp within its cemetery.
The application was recommended for conditional approval at the May 21 meeting of the park’s development management committee.
An officer report said: “The application relates to the construction of an accessibility ramp between the original cemetery and the new cemetery, and a replacement shed for maintenance equipment.
“The site comprises a chapel and grounds located within the recently designated Cresswell Quay Conservation Area, with the south boundary marking the edge of this conservation area.”
“The site has established mature trees along the south and east boundaries, that are important to the setting of the site and the conservation area and are considered to be a key constraint.”
Detailing the chapel itself, it says: “Pisgah Chapel was built by the Baptists in 1821, giving rise to the small settlement of cottages that are present today situated between Cresswell Quay to the north and Whitehill to the south. The chapel and grounds are also within the recently designated Cresswell Quay Conservation Area, with the south boundary marking the edge of the conservation area.”
Of the proposed changes, it says: “The functional requirement for installation of the shed is to replace the existing shed which is in poor condition and is inadequate to safely store equipment for the maintenance of the cemetery,” adding: “The ramp to serve the purpose of the church and will improve accessibility for the land users when accessing the new cemetery area. Whilst of modern form and materials, it is not considered that the ramp will adversely affect the characterful appearance of the existing chapel and associated grounds to an unacceptable degree.”
The application, brought for committee decision as the applicant was a member of staff, was unanimously approved.
