Family members have been left “upset” after they are saying a street was constructed over graves in a chapel cemetery.
Planning permission to construct a parking space at Bethany Chapel in Newtown, Powys, had been granted, however questions have been raised about an entry street allegedly constructed over as much as seven graves.
Dolafon Trust, which is a part of Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, stated it was “meticulously adhering to the planning consent”.
Members of Jackie Davies’ household are buried within the graveyard in mid Wales and has been main a marketing campaign to have it restored.
Ms Davies informed Sky News that descendants have been indignant and upset.
“It’s clear that they’ve been disturbed, it’s clear that headstones have got posts [that have] been put through into the graves,” she stated.
“It’s all very traumatic, it’s all very disturbing to see. It’s sickening to see.”
She stated the expertise had affected her teenage daughters.
“They’ve witnessed bulldozers, diggers and people trampling all over graves with no headstones when we’ve always taught our children you walk around a grave, you don’t walk over a grave,” she stated.
William and Martha White’s graves are two of these underneath the brand new street, in response to their descendants.
A fantastic-grandson of theirs, who requested to not be named, informed Sky News his household was upset.
“We’re obviously upset that their graves have been obliterated,” he stated.
“We’re asking for a reinstatement. A stop to the work and reinstatement of the graveyard as it was.”
He known as on Powys County Council’s planning division to behave shortly and intervene.
“We would like to thank everyone involved in the campaign, Jackie Davies and her family and Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and our Senedd member Cefin Campell,” he added.
Powys county councillor Elwyn Vaughan informed Sky News six or seven graves had been impacted.
“In terms of the work done, they had planning permission to do a new car park on new land, farm land, next to the chapel,” he stated.
“But that is quite a different location, especially the access, to what has actually happened.”
Cllr Vaughan claimed the planning officer had not visited the positioning and stated Powys County Council ought to apologise.
He stated respect must be proven to “frustrated” descendants and the topsoil must be restored within the part of graveyard the place the street is presently constructed.
Read extra from Sky News:
20mph pace restrict will save lives, Welsh FM insists
Police warning over ‘Christmas gnomes’ in gardens
A spokesperson for Powys County Council stated planning permission was granted in June 2022 for the change of use of land to type a parking space.
“The council has an open planning enforcement case in relation to this site and is in the process of investigating whether works undertaken on site, including the erection of wooden poles, are in compliance with the approved planning permission(s),” the spokesperson added.
“The council has informed the Ministry of Justice and the police regarding possible disturbance to graves.”
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed it was investigating a report of felony harm at Bethany Chapel.
‘Swift motion’
A spokesperson for the Dolafon Trust stated it had not been made immediately conscious of the continued investigations by Powys County Council or Dyfed-Powys Police.
“Members of our congregation have lived and worked in the area for many years,” the spokesperson stated.
“Guided by our Christian faith, our priority has always been to be good neighbours and support the local community, including through extensive charitable activity.”
The spokesperson added they understood kinfolk of individuals laid to relaxation at Bethany Chapel have been “concerned by our ongoing restoration works”.
“We wish to reassure all that we deeply value the sanctity of places of worship and are meticulously adhering to the planning consent granted by Powys County Council,” they added.
The spokesperson confirmed the event of the positioning was granted whereas it was underneath earlier possession.
“We have since worked closely with the council and other relevant authorities to ensure that our plans are delivered sensitively and appropriately,” they stated.
“We are taking all feedback from the community extremely seriously, and took swift action to relocate fencing that was not up to our high standards of care for this restoration.
“As a part of our efforts to re-establish the chapel as a spot of worship, these works proceed with the utmost respect and compassion.”
Source: information.sky.com”