‘Very traumatic’: New road built over graves in Powys, families say

Family members have been left “upset” after they say a road was built over graves in a chapel cemetery.

Planning permission to build a parking area at Bethany Chapel in Newtown, Powys, had been granted, but questions have been raised about an access road allegedly built over up to seven graves.

Dolafon Trust, which is part of Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, said it was “meticulously adhering to the planning consent”.

Members of Jackie Davies’ family are buried in the graveyard in mid Wales and has been leading a campaign to have it restored.

Ms Davies told Sky News that descendants were angry 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 said.

“It’s all very traumatic, it’s all very disturbing to see. It’s sickening to see.”

She said the experience 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 said.

William and Martha White’s graves are two of those under the new road, according to their descendants.

A great-grandson of theirs, who asked not to be named, told Sky News his family was upset.

“We’re obviously upset that their graves have been obliterated,” he said.

“We’re asking for a reinstatement. A stop to the work and reinstatement of the graveyard as it was.”

He called on Powys County Council’s planning department to act quickly 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 Mr Cefin Campell,” he added.

Powys county councillor Elwyn Vaughan told 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 said.

“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 site and said Powys County Council should apologise.

He said respect should be shown to “frustrated” descendants and the topsoil should be restored in the section of graveyard where the road is currently built.

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A spokesperson for Powys County Council said planning permission was granted in June 2022 for the change of use of land to form a parking area.

“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 criminal damage at Bethany Chapel.

‘Swift action’

A spokesperson for the Dolafon Trust said it had not been made directly aware of the ongoing 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 said.

“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 relatives of people laid to rest at Bethany Chapel were “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 development of the site was granted while it was under previous ownership.

“We have since worked closely with the council and other relevant authorities to ensure that our plans are delivered sensitively and appropriately,” they said.

“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 part of our efforts to re-establish the chapel as a place of worship, these works continue with the utmost respect and compassion.”