Penarth Town Council has released their latest venue updates regarding the Cemetery Chapel renovations, the Paget Rooms and the Turner House buildings.

These updates have been summarised from the council report below.

CEMETERY CHAPEL RENOVATION/ RESTORATIONS:

The Cemetery Chapel has been used as storage for many years until the council applied to change its use. It is now being converted into a community facility. The proposals also include the siting of two storage containers to the west of the Chapel so this change can happen.

Potential use will be restricted but will include:

- Memorial Services and Humanist Funeral Services

- After school groups and youth provisions such as Scouts and Brownies

- Activities relating to various festive periods, such as carol services

- PTC-run events, such as consultations and mayoral events

- Small community group activities that require a larger than normal space, such as exercise classes or music rehearsal spaces for orchestras.

Work Timescales:

• Work will begin this month on the Chapel Project

• Works costs have been reduced to fall in line with the amount of Public Works Loans allocated to the Chapel Project. This will ensure all external works required will be completed and provide a basic internal facility.

• January 2020 - Plinths to be constructed - These will support the shipping containers that will be sited outside of the chapel to take over the storage needs of the cemetery e.g grave digging and ground maintenance items.

• February 2020 - Containers to be Installed

• March 2020 - Chapel to be emptied and items to be relocated to containers. Scaffolding and Herras fencing to be erected around the chapel.

• April 2020 - Stone Masons Work to start

• May 2020 - Main Works to Chapel to start

THE TURNER HOUSE:

The necessary repair works have not yet been completed by the National Museum of Wales. The repairs to the main roof are complete which have been approved and inspected by Penarth Town Council's surveyor. The scaffolding was removed w/e 6th of January and the works to the flat roof are all that remain.

National Museum Wales has indicated these should be completed by the end of January with a handover to the council by the 1st of February 2020.

The council have also recently submitted an application to install a glass platform lift into the Turner House to improve access issues. They are waiting on Vale council approval before they can go ahead with this change.

The council hope to use the newly received space to generate the first Arts and Culture programme that the council has ever had.

THE PAGET ROOMS:

Lapider have made a pre-listed building consent application to the Vale Council in regards to the Paget Rooms roof and have met the Listed Building Conservation Officer on-site at the Paget Rooms on the 10th of January to discuss. A response to that application is now awaited.

Penarth Nub News will keep you updated with any information we receive on council-run buildings.