It’s to be sold as seen with everything in it included
A striking and substantial Grade II listed chapel situated close to world-class west Wales beaches is going to auction with a guide price of £91,000 and comes complete with pews and organ, plus the chance to bid on one of the neighbours too.
The former place of worship in Penclawdd, near Swansea, and on the north coast of the Gower Peninsula is Bethel Independent Chapel which boasts breathtaking aesthetics both internally and externally, that led to it being awarded a Grade II listing by Cadw in the year 2000.
The predominant reason for the listing, which also details many of the chapel’s features including stained glass windows, organ and oak staircases, is based on its history too. The listing states ‘notwithstanding loss of some exterior detail as a fine Beaux-Arts chapel of the early C20 religious revival by Sir W Beddoe Rees’. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here.
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The listing goes on to say that ‘a chapel was built at this site in 1816 and a Sunday School added in 1901. In 1910 the old Bethel chapel was demolished and the present chapel constructed.
‘The architect was Sir W Beddoe Rees of Cardiff, and the builders were Messrs Radford and Grieves of Coventry. It is a close copy of Bethania Baptist chapel, Maesteg, designed by the same architect in 1908′.
According to auction house Paul Fosh Auctions, the chapel has previously had planning consent for conversion to a quintet of houses, although this has now lapsed.
Auctioneer Angie Davey, from Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “”This is a truly magnificent former chapel which currently contains all the trappings of its former use as the Bethel Independent Chapel at its location in Bethel Road, Penclawdd.
“It’s a fine example of its type with a wealth of gorgeous features. It’s to be sold as seen so has everything including the pews, pulpit and organ, which could be sold off to perhaps help fund any future redevelopment.”
She added: “With lapsed planning permission for conversion to five houses and in a wonderful part of Wales close to marvellous beaches, this former chapel has a lot going for it.”
According to the auction house, the chapel offers a large ground floor area including the nave, the chancel, containing the altar and the organ pump room and entrance vestibule. In addition, there is a mezzanine floor and two staircases plus several entrance doors.
Angie added: “A large gravel area has already been laid in readiness for works storage and parking. Due to the tourism in the area the converted chapel could provide a substantial holiday let income.”
But this beautiful former religious building has an extra and exciting opportunity on its site – owned by the same vendor but being auctioned as a separate lot – an abandoned two bedroom home, called Barham Cottage.
Angie said: “The former caretaker’s cottage with distant estuary views is also available at the auction and could form part of a comprehensive redevelopment scheme for both properties.
“The two properties, the chapel and caretaker’s building, are both owned by the same vendor but would be sold with separate titles. Barham Cottage is listed for sale with a guide price of £40,000.”
This property, which requires full renovation, also has lapsed planning permission, this time to extend to a second floor. The property currently provides one reception room, kitchen area, bathroom area and two bedrooms and there is also a garden to one side. For more property, renovation, and interior design stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
Angie stated that before anyone bid with big plans for releasing the potential at this site via both the buildings, they would need to resubmit any planning applications for the future development, conversion and extension of the structures, with no guarantee of success.
Penclawdd sits in the northern part of the Gower Peninsula nestled on the coastline and with easy access to Swansea in one direction and the rest of west Wales to explore in the other direction.
One section of the village sits elevated, offering sweeping vistas across the Loughor estuary and the surrounding Gower landscape, whilst the primary area of the village extends along the estuary’s edge. The Gower Peninsula, situated to the west of Swansea in Wales, holds the distinction of being the first area in the UK to be designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The peninsula boasts a varied landscape, encompassing sandy beaches, craggy cliffs, salt marshes and moorland. Among its most popular attractions are Rhossili Bay, Three Cliffs Bay and Worm’s Head, stunning sandy shores and sections of Welsh coastline that regularly appear on lists of the world’s best beaches.
The chapel and the cottage will be sold online as separate lots on the Paul Fosh Auctions website which starts at 12 noon on Tuesday, July 29 and ends from 5pm on Thursday, July 31.