The bodies of our loved ones could be paved in front of a twelve-space parking lot – it's so disrespectful… we won't back down

VILLAGES are furious after the bodies of their loved ones are tarred in front of a 12-space car park.

Residents in Bonimaen, South Wales are in action as their 19th century chapel faces the prospect of being transformed.

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Owners of Adulam Chapel submitted a controversial plan to build nine flats and use the cemetery for a 12-space car park.

But the measure has sparked a wave of opposition among locals who are deeply concerned about the effects of climate change resting place of their loved ones.

The transformation means their buried loved ones can be paved over.

Richard Christensen, who lives across from the chapel, often visits the cemetery where his cousin rests.

He bellowed: “You can't pave over someone's body. It's a huge 'no'.”

Another 1,500 people join the opposition by signing an online petition to stop owners.

Neea Powell, a vocal member of the objection group, hit the parking lot as “so disrespectful”.

Her mother and aunt have also joined forces – as Neea's grandmother was buried there in December 2022.

Ms Powell added that they did not want to see the chapel empty for too long.

Despite recognizing the need for housing, she “will not stop at nothing” to stop the plan.

She also said that the municipality recently submitted massive housing plans for the land in the same area.

This step attempts to address the shortage houses.

The beloved chapel was built around 1850 and renovated in the early 1960s before closing in July 2022.

Despite renovation work, access to the cemetery remained open to the public.

The site was sold to new owners for a whopping £27,500.

But they were obliged to maintain the cemetery and the permit future free burial.

However, a planning officer's assessment found it was unlikely Swansea City Council would approve it.

The report raised concerns about the inappropriate design approach and the potential impact on the headstones.

It reads: “[It] can further reinforce the inappropriate design approach to the overall development.”

Bill Sandhu, one of the chapel's owners, said they had received positive feedback from people in the area.

And claimed that a similar redevelopment of the chapel had taken place elsewhere.

Responding to residents' criticism, he said: “We don't want to upset anyone. It's a large space that could be put to better use, and we know there is a demand for housing.”

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