Listed chapel repairs at Chapel Bishopwearmouth Cemetery, Chester Road, Sunderland

What was proposed

The application sought insulation and roof strengthening, stained-glass reinstatement, a Limecrete floor, masonry repairs and south gable wall plaster repairs.

“Proposal: Provide insulation and improve strength of existing roof, reinstate the original stained glass, remove modern concrete floors and replace with a Limecrete floor, masonry repairs and repair south gable wall plaster.”

“The chapel has been undergoing a restoration and repair scheme approved under reference 24/02306/LB3. This application proposes to provide insulation and improve strength of existing roof, reinstate the original stained glass, remove modern concrete floors and replace with a Limecrete floor, masonry repairs and repair south gable wall plaster.”

Officer report

The listed chapel

The chapel is a Grade II listed building built in 1856 and is undergoing works to repair and preserve it.

“The Chapel in Bishopwearmouth Cemetery is a grade II listed building and an impressive example of its type, originally built in 1856 to the designs of notable Sunderland Architect Thomas Moore as part of the wider municipal cemetery complex. It is undergoing works to repair and preserve the building.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended listed building consent because the works would conserve and enhance the chapel’s character and significance.

“The proposals will repair and consolidate a significant listed building that was previously at serious risk and help secure its long-term conservation and return to use through sympathetic repair and adaptation works that overall will have a positive impact on its significance. The proposals will conserve and enhanced the character and significance of the listed building and satisfy the requirements CSDP policies BH7 and BH8 and NPPF paragraphs 210 and 212.”

“The following conditions should be applied for the approval of the Conservation Team; these should not be pre-commencement conditions as the details / samples will only be able to be provided during the works at the relevant stages.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillors Martin Haswell and Steven Donkin raised concerns, while the agent explained that existing site-management measures would continue.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted listed building consent subject to the draft conditions and the update to Condition 2.

“There being no questions or comments from Members, the Chairperson put the Officers recommendation, as set out in the report to the Committee. it was:-”

“RESOLVED that Members Grant Listed Building Consent subject to the draft conditions listed within the report and an update to Condition 2”

Minutes