Families Allege Desecration of Graves for Car Park Construction
Families in Powys, Wales, are in uproar, alleging that their loved ones’ graves have been desecrated and paved over to create a car park. Dyfed-Powys Police have initiated an investigation into the reported criminal damage outside the Bethany Chapel in Kerry, near Newtown.
The chapel ceased its operations two decades ago, and last year, planning permission was granted to construct a car park and driveway on the adjacent land. With the construction now complete, families were shocked to find that graves appeared to have vanished from the burial ground.
The Dolafon Gospel Hall Trust, associated with the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and the owners of the chapel, asserts that no graves have been lost. Nevertheless, the affected families, including the White Lewis family, whose grandparents rest in the cemetery, are demanding reassurance and proof that their loved ones’ remains remain undisturbed.
Jackie Davies, another individual with family graves in the cemetery, expressed her distress, citing clear signs of disturbance and headstones with posts driven into graves. Powys County Council is currently investigating whether any planning consents have been violated after becoming aware of concerns.
The council clarified that any work on graves would necessitate separate consent from the Home Office, a requirement that the agent involved in the development was informed of. In June 2022, planning permission was granted for land use transformation into a parking area and vehicular access, but it did not entail relocating further gravestones.
The Dolafon Gospel Hall Trust stated that they are meticulously adhering to the planning consent granted by Powys County Council for the site’s restoration. They emphasized their cooperation with local authorities to ensure sensitive and appropriate implementation of their plans. The trust also expressed their commitment to being good neighbors and contributing to the local community through charitable activities.
Dyfed-Powys Police continue their inquiries into the matter. Last month, Powys was named the location with the most dangerous roads in Britain. Mark Little, former Neighbours actor, who now resides in the area, plays for a local cricket team.
In a separate incident, concerns were raised recently when a ULEZ camera was installed near an East London cemetery, causing further distress in a graveyard’s vicinity.