**Plans Approved for Redevelopment of Derelict Pontypridd Church into Apartments**
In a significant development for the community of Pontypridd, an empty church building located on Dorothy Street is set to be transformed into much-needed housing after local councillors approved conversion plans this week. The decision, made by Rhondda Cynon Taf’s planning committee on Thursday 15 May, marks a new chapter for the Old St Matthew’s Church, a structure long recognised for its architectural character yet left vacant for several years.
The approved scheme, submitted by DS Lan Developments Ltd, will see the former place of worship converted into five three-bedroom apartments. As part of the proposal, developers intend to provide 10 off-road parking spaces to accommodate future residents – an inclusion aimed at minimising disruption to a neighbourhood where parking has been a persistent concern.
The disused church, while not officially listed, has been noted in planning documents as a building of considerable architectural interest within the local area. Despite this, its prolonged vacancy has rendered it a magnet for anti-social behaviour, with numerous windows broken and subsequently boarded up, and vegetation encroaching significantly on all sides. Neighbours have remarked that the southern aspect of the church, now heavily overgrown, has even become a nesting spot for local birdlife.
The application was not without its detractors. During the planning process, three formal objections were submitted by local residents. Chief among their concerns was the adequacy of the proposed parking provision and the likely impact of construction traffic on what is already a congested locality. Objectors also voiced unease about the challenge of accessing Ralph Street, noting that existing commercial units contribute to high demand for parking in the vicinity.
Other issues raised included questions over the legibility of some technical aspects within the planning documents, the scale of the project, and whether the developer possessed the necessary experience and funding to see such an ambitious redevelopment through to completion. Residents also highlighted the lack of engagement from the current owners and the apparent neglect of the property over the past two decades, which has contributed to its visible decline.
Despite these apprehensions, several elected representatives welcomed the proposals. Councillor Mike Powell expressed satisfaction that the scheme had reached committee for determination, while Councillor Loretta Tomkinson praised the potential it offered to breathe life back into a building that had “deteriorated heavily.” Both councillors referenced the wider opportunity such redevelopments can provide in addressing local housing needs while also preserving architectural heritage.
In their official recommendation for approval, planning officers noted the strong sustainability credentials of the site, citing its central location within Pontypridd and good access to local services. Officers acknowledged the building’s historic and architectural value, emphasising that repurposing it for residential use would allow the structure to be retained largely in its original form. They further argued that the new apartments could help improve the street’s overall appearance and mitigate the negative effects of ongoing dereliction.
Speaking to the considerations for neighbouring residents, planning officials stated they did not expect the development to infringe upon the privacy or amenity of adjacent properties, nor to pose significant risks to highway safety in the area. The officers concluded that, on balance, the conversion would be a positive step forward for both the building and the wider community.
As work now looks set to begin, the revitalisation of Old St Matthew’s Church stands as a microcosm of broader efforts across South Wales to repurpose redundant building stock for contemporary needs. While the project has prompted debate among locals, its eventual completion could offer a thoughtful blend of historic preservation and practical housing provision, all while injecting new life into a corner of Pontypridd in need of rejuvenation. As communities across the Valleys continue to evolve, the fate of the old church could serve as a telling example of adaptive reuse in action.