Cwmbran chapel could be yours for £8k (From Free Press Series)

Cwmbran chapel could be yours for £8k

1:30pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News By Sophie Brownson

A ROOM with an unusual view is on offer for those who don’t want noisy neighbours.

A chapel built in 1819 and adjacent graveyard has been put up for sale for just £8,000.

The detached stone-built chapel, at St Dials, Cwmbran, is a single-storey building and is being sold by a private vendor via Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions on Wednesday, March 27.

Once used by Welsh Non-Conformists, the chapel hasn’t been used for generations, and neighbours believe it to be haunted.

Mr Fosh said: “The detached building of stone construction under a pitch tiled roof is not, as far as we know, listed and has existing planning permission for residential conversion.

“The adjacent and attached graveyard offers potential for off-road parking.”

The auctioneers suggested carefully laying the grave stones down and covering them over to be able to park cars on top of the graves, which are the resting-place of people such as the wife of the chapel’s previous incumbent, Rev David Davies.

The previous owner was interested in development but hadn’t got round to doing anything with it.

Now the vendor wants to move on to other projects, allowing prospective buyers to develop or live in the chapel themselves.

The chapel is neither Grade I nor II listed, meaning that it has planning permission for conversion, offering a blank canvas for residential development, featuring one large room and a small room, overlooking the graveyard.

However, if the new owner decides to develop it for commercial purposes they will need to apply for further planning permission.

The chapel hasn’t had a congregation for many years, meaning that the new owner will have it all to themselves.

“I think the chapel, after conversion, could make someone a very cosy, solid little home and you wouldn’t have to worry about any noise fromthe neighbours!” Mr Fosh said.

The Paul Fosh Auctions sale will be held at the Park Inn Hotel, Circle Way East, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff, on Wednesday, March 27, 5pm.

Graveyard is haunted by a black hound – legend

LOCAL legend has it that the graveyard is haunted by The Black Hound of The Underworld, which haunts the souls of men.

According to estate agent documents, the story goes that a minister of the chapel heard the baying of a hound as it sensed its prey late one night.

It was not long before he saw a great black hound following his trail, and, realising he was the target, struck the hound between the eyes with his Bible.

The creature is said to have burst in to flames and disappeared, leaving the minister’s soul intact and his beard singed.