Community purchase of chapel for local housing and heritage centre crosses halfway point

Community purchase of chapel for local housing and heritage centre crosses halfway point with £26,000 from 13 supporters. This could be an option for so many communities where chapels and churches are closing.

The community volunteers in Hermon village are well on their way to purchasing Brynmyrnach chapel located in the centre of the village to convert it into a new community asset with 2 fflats for local people and a community heritage centre on the ground floor.

Members of the chapel have decided to sell the chapel as repairs to the roof and walls would be a considerable sum but they are keen for the building to be retained for community and local housing.

The sum needed to be raised is £50,000 and to date £26,000 is secured. There will now be a public meeting on Sunday the 29th of May at 4pm in Brynmyrnach chapel. Anyone who wishes to know more can attend along with those who have invested in the project.

The idea was proposed at the meeting by Cris Tomos. Cris explained "The new Heritage and Housing Trust would be a Community Benefit Society and limited company.

Local people would be the shareholders in this cooperative housing venture that will have a local letting policy allowing affordable housing for local families and couples, this could be a blueprint for other communities to take on the chapels and churches that are closing"

The project has seen 13 local investors joined to date who are asked to invest for 36 months and have a guaranteed return of 1.75% per annum on the investment to help purchase the chapel. Cris further explained. "We are seeking local financial contributors in the same way as Canolfan Hermon Cooperative, 4CG Cooperative and Tafarn Sinc Cooperative attracted local people to help save and develop local assets.

We are now seeking a final 12 investors to reach the target of 25 people to put in £2,000 each that will then allow us to match the funding required to purchase and start developing the old chapel for local housing and a heritage centre"

Anyone interested in knowing more can contact Cris on 07974099738 or email cristomos831@gmail.com

Additional information and a copy of the application form is now on the project Facebook page on www.facebook.com/hermonhousing

23 May 2022