Emergency church stabilisation at Elim Church, Knight Street, Mountain Ash

“Listed Building Consent (LBC) is sought for a package of emergency works at Elim Pentecostal Church, to ensure retention of the building and to mitigate risk to the adjoining property, 3 Knight Street, following a partial roof collapse.”

“Elim Pentecostal Church, formerly Noddfa Welsh Baptist Chapel, is located on Knight Street, Mountain Ash. Knight Street forms a small side street off Oxford Street, the main thoroughfare through the town and town’s retail centre.”

“The building fronts onto Knight Street (north). To the west is a narrow alley that separates the building from an adjacent coach house, currently utilised as a store for a local construction company. To the east the Church is adjoined by a traditional terraced dwelling, 3 Knight Street. To the south the Church borders rear gardens areas of neighbouring properties along Oxford Street and Bruce Street, a mixture of commercial and residential properties.”

“Save for additional stabilising scaffolding, the further proposed works would simply involve the sorting and relocation of debris within the building where required and the removal and safe storage of fixings and fittings to facilitate the removal of debris that cannot be retained.”

“The works are urgently required to stabilise the listed church building and to mitigate, as far as possible any further degradation and loss of historic fabric. The scheme also seeks to remove considerable health and safety risks to the adjoining property, 3 Knight Street, allowing residents to return to their home; and will enable the reopening of Knight Street to vehicular traffic.”

“Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales – Being of such a high listing status, the Church has a special interest and makes an important contribution to the national architecture of Welsh churches. We recognise the unique situation which has led to these emergency works needing to take place and the danger that the condition of the building poses if left untreated.”

“APPLICATION NUMBER – 25/0682/LBC REPORT restoration, that a building recording take place, tantamount to a Level 3 Building Record as outlined in Historic England’s Understanding Historic Buildings: A Guide to Good Recording Practice (2016). This should include a detailed photographic recording, measured drawings of existing plans and elevations, and laser scanning of the interior and exterior of the church.”

“Emergency works package to stabilise the existing church and to mitigate the risk to the adjoining property following partial roof collapse. Works will include the sorting and relocation of debris within the building where required and the removal and safe storage of fixings and fittings to facilitate the removal of debris that cannot be retained.”

“The Head of Planning presented the application to Committee and following consideration it was RESOLVED to approve the application in accordance with the recommendation of the Director, Prosperity and Development and positive referral to Cadw.”