A CALL to extend a chapel and hall near Haverfordwest to provide much-needed space for activities has been submitted to Pembrokeshire planners.
Reverend Jenny Gough, through agent Sureline Design Services Ltd, seeks permission for an extension to Bethlehem Chapel and its attached hall, in the village of Bethlehem, near Haverfordwest.
A supporting statement says: “Bethlehem Baptist Chapel, located on the outskirts of Haverfordwest has 45 adults in membership of the church at the present time ranging from 19 years to those in their mid90’s. In addition, on a Sunday we have a further 46 adults in regular attendance and 11 regular under 16-year-olds.
“The growth of the church fellowship in the past ten years has necessitated the provision of a portacabin in church grounds which is a temporary measure, intended to be removed once the proposed extension to the church hall is completed.
“Whilst the church is currently providing various community activities we are limited in the number of people who can attend and often find that we are restricted in the services we would like to provide due to the space available.
“Allied to this, the need to meet public standards for disabilities, parking, health, and safety and the need for an extension becomes ever more pressing. The project aim is to provide a first-class facility that will enhance the community, be a welcome lift to the area, and enable existing and new activities to be undertaken in a pleasant, warm, accessible and welcoming environment.
“There is adequate land situated to allow the extension without impinging or compromising on the chapel’s burial grounds and the funding for the project will be obtained through grant applications, through appeals and fundraising activities.
“Over the last four to five years it has become increasingly clear that the current building facility could not meet the needs of its users, nor hope to satisfy the ever-increasing regulatory demands placed on facilities that are open to the general public.”
The chapel hosts many activities including adult and toddler/baby group, ladies craft group (which includes a Safe Space provision), community lunch group, bereavement peer support group, dementia support group, primary school children’s holiday clubs, secondary school youth clubs, young adult groups, Christian teaching groups and social events.
“Since many of these activities are well attended we are often lacking space in the building. For some larger gatherings we are forced to use halls in the communities around us, which increases our workload for holding the events in having to transport necessary equipment.
“The main result is that we are not holding events to our full potential, if more space was available at Bethlehem Chapel, we would be able to hold more events to benefit the wider community with what we are already providing.”
The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.
