The demolition of a Tonyrefail chapel and the building of flats has been approved but with calls to protect gravestones and deal with noise from a nearby theatre.
The application to knock down Capel y Ton and build six two-bed flats and one penthouse flat was given the green light by Rhondda Cynon Taf’s planning committee on Thursday, June 13.
But councillors said they wanted to make sure gravestones are protected and that the potential impact of noise from the nearby Savoy Theatre is dealt with.
Listed building consent was also granted but now Cadw will also have to approve the demolition for it to go ahead.
Councillor Danny Grehan, who is a member of the committee and represents Tonyrefail East, said he doesn’t have any opposition to the plans but says what does worry him is the parking issues and that the development might mean they have more parking problems in Tonyrefail.
He also said he was “very worried” there is no soundproofing to deal with noise from the nearby Savoy Theatre and said this would be “very unfair” on people who move in to the flats.
But the planning officer said the applicant could be asked to provide more parking that the parking spaces are planned for the only places where there are not graves.
Cllr Pauline Jarman raised concerns about how much extra traffic would be generated and said the fact there is a one-hour wait limit on the main road indicates there is already a parking problem in the area.
She also said she would like reassurance that the graves would be protected.
The application was passed but Cllr Gareth Caple recommended a condition that noise attenuation works be carried out to limit the impact of noise from the Savoy
