BaR News Round Up April 2023

New entry April 2023: Chapel at Bronllys Hospital, Bronllys, Powys, LD3 0LU

On the site of Bronllys Hospital, the hospital's listed chapel (grade II) stands in deteriorating condition.  The charming building dates from 1920 when the rest of the hospital site was constructed as a tuberculosis sanatorium. The land itself, on which an earlier house, the Pontywal Mansion, already stood, was purchased in 1913 by the Welsh National Memorial Association.  Low level buildings with connecting pathways were laid out and the design reflected both Arts & Crafts and Modern Movement influences.  It was later taken over by the National Health Service and became Bronllys Hospital.  Now owned and run by the Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB), we understand that the Mansion has been sold off but PTHB retain ownership of the remainder of the site including the chapel.
 
A local group known as Bronllys Wellbeing Park group is keen to secure funding and make arrangements for restoration of the chapel.  The group is confident that this could be achieved, resulting in conservation of built heritage and a space for a variety of community uses.  They also have ambitious and visionary plans for the rest of the site. Click here to read more about their proposals.
 
The site itself is noted in the Local Development Plan as a location where the proposed use as a health park would be supported. It also acknowledged that the site contains important built heritage which should be protected mentioning the two listed buildings and the grounds which are a registered historic park and garden.
The Bronllys Wellbeing Park group plans to hold a public meeting with the Powys Teaching Health Board and various other interested parties in March 2023 at which it is hoped that the future of the chapel will be discussed.  It is crucial that steps be taken soon to ensure the survival of the chapel. 
 
Good news stories: Market House and Old Town Hall, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 2JG
 
After a year on SAVE's register, we are pleased to hear that the Future High Streets Fund was granted for Penzance, and the building will be restored as a result of it. The Market House was acquired by the community and bought by Penzance Regeneration Company (PRC), a not-for-profit company, which has been established by local stakeholders. The current vision for this redevelopment includes hosting a food hall with street food kitchens on the ground floor, with the first floor being transformed to house a café, bar and events space, whilst the lower ground floor will be a town hub and shared workspace. 
 
Broadgate Engine House, Luckett, Callington, Cornwall, PL17 8LH
 
Some more good news in Cornwall is the Broadgate Engine House in Luckett, which has been sympathetically converted over the last few years into holiday accommodation. Listed as grade II, it stood for many years as a derelict mining engine house with an attached chimney dating from the 1870s. Set in a rural location the building was granted planning permission for a 3-bed residential conversion in 1998, which was renewed in September 2008. Both of these applications lapsed until a new proposal was put forward in 2020. We are pleased to report that the building has been finally saved and is no longer at risk. See here for more information.