County planners have given the go-ahead for a pet crematorium in a former chapel in Llechryd by just two votes.

There was a split in Ceredigion council’s development control committee about whether a site inspection panel was required for the application for change of use at the Grade II-listed 19th century Llwynadda Chapel, which has been vacant for 15 years.

Eight members were in favour and eight against, with the casting vote of committee chairman Cllr Bryan Davies resulting in no visit to the site.

The committee heard concerns about smells and pollution from the incinerator close to people’s homes.

The plan is to turn the former chapel, said to be in a poor state of repair, into a pet crematorium and office with flue pipe for the incinerator, new ramp and doorway to the rear.

Applicant Richard Kruger, who already runs gravestone business Grave Concerns in the village, said there was a gap in the market locally for such a service.

The application stated: “At present the building is in very bad condition, by having a change of use it will allow the owner to financially be able to repair and maintain the building.

“The building itself is of a high historic value yet there is a chance that the chapel will fall into disrepair if it is not in use, therefore, losing its value as an historic asset.”

The plan was approved nine votes to seven.

See this week’s South Ceredigion paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now