Historic Sunderland chapel set for major restoration as council seeks listed building consent

Major repair plans for a historic Grade II-listed chapel in Sunderland's largest cemetery have been submitted to city development chiefs. Sunderland City Council has lodged an application with its own planning department for the Bishopwearmouth Cemetery chapel.

The Anglican 1856 South Chapel has been in a dangerous state of disrepair for years, with scaffolding previously put up to safeguard the tower and spirelet, and the building cordoned off for inspection. In a public statement in February 2023, Sunderland City Council announced its intention to undertake "essential external repair and restoration work" and was seeking a "specialist consultant" to assist with the project.

Nearly two years on, the council has now applied for listed building consent to carry out repairs at the chapel. A design and access statement accompanying the planning application describes the building as being in a "poor condition" and details various issues.

These include the "spirelet leaning and at risk of collapse", with "temporary scaffold" in place to "reduce the risk of collapse into the building". Other problems noted are parts of the building "breaking apart", the chapel roof "in the process of slowly collapsing into the nave", missing slates in numerous locations, "choked gutters", as well as "decaying timber" and water damage.

Planning documents also reveal that the building is "derelict inside" and "there is no original decoration left". The proposed repairs include work on the "spirelet and belfry masonry", with all roofs being "recovered in new Westmoreland slate replicating the present slate patterning" and a "new roof superstructure" benefiting most of the building. All wallplates, gutters, downpipes and flashings will also be replaced, along with repair and rebuilding works and a "new underground surface water drainage system".

Inside the building, all remaining plaster would be removed from the walls and windows left open to "ventilate and dry out the building", while ceilings would be kept in place to "assist drying out". The design and access statement notes: "The building will then be safe, watertight and in the process of drying out. It will then be ready for further repairs and development under a less onerous timescale."

According to the same statement, the chapel historically "formed one of a pair that acted as mortuaries for non-conformist and Anglican denominations within the municipal cemetery".

However, its northern twin, known as the Central Chapel, was demolished after a fire in the late-1990s. A heritage statement also submitted to council officials notes that proposed works to the south chapel include "maintenance, repair and reinstatement", with the "principal affected item" being the building’s roof covering.

The heritage statement adds: "The building is part of the estate of Sunderland City Council who recognise its dilapidation and wish to carry out holding repairs whilst the fut.

A decision on the planning application for repairs will be made following a period of council consultation. Sunderland City Council's planning portal website indicates a decision deadline of January 9, 2025.

For further details on the planning application or to follow its progress, visit the council's planning portal website and search reference: 24/02306/LB3.

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