Our loved ones’ bodies could be tarmacked over for a 12-space car park – it’s so disrespectful… we won’t back down
VILLAGERS have been left raging after their loved ones’ bodies face being tarmacked over for a 12-space car park.
Residents in Bonymaen, South Wales are up in arms as their 19th-century chapel faces the prospect of being transformed.
Owners of Adulam Chapel submitted a controversial plan to erect nine flats and use the cemetery for a 12-space car park.
But the move has sparked a wave of opposition from locals deeply concerned about the resting place of their loved ones.
The transformation means their buried loved ones could be tarmacked.
Richard Christensen, who lives opposite the chapel, often visits the burial place where his cousin rests.
He blasted: “You cannot Tarmac over someone’s body. It’s a massive ‘no’.”
Another 1,500 people are joining the opposition by signing an online petition to stop owners.
Neea Powell, a vocal member of the objecting group, slammed the car park as “so disrespectful”.
Her mother and her aunt have also joined forces – as Neea’s grandmother was buried there in December 2022.
Ms Powell added that they did not wish to see the chapel empty for too long.
Despite acknowledging the need for housing, she “won’t back down” from stopping the plan.
She also said the council has recently submitted huge housing plans for the land in the same area.
The move comes in a bid to tackle the shortage in homes.
The beloved chapel was built around 1850 and renovated in the early 1960s before closing in July 2022.
Despite renovations, the graveyard access remained open to the public.
The site sold for a whooping £27,500 to new owners.
But, they were obliged to maintain the graveyard and permit future burials at no cost.
However, a planning officer’s assessment casted doubts found that it is unlikely that Swansea Council would approve it.
The report found concerns about the inappropriate design approach and the potential impact on the gravestones.
It read: “[It] may further amplify the inappropriate design approach of the overall development.”
Bill Sandhu, one of the chapel’s owners, said they had received positive feedback from people in the area.
And claimed a similar chapel re-development had taken place elsewhere.
Addressing resident’s criticism, he said: “We don’t want to upset anyone. It is a big space which could be used better, and we know housing is in demand.”