A grade two listed historic building in Swansea has been demolished, leaving local residents angry.
Capel Salem (Capel Y Cwm), an old chapel located in Cwm Chapel Road in Bonymaen, had Methodist origins dating back to 1782.
Residents of the surrounding area said the building was destroyed before Christmas. Swansea Council has said discussions are now taking place with the owners regarding the "the requirements to apply retrospectively for listed building consent for the demolition".
However, an email apparently sent by Welsh historic monuments body, Cadw, to a local resident, says it had "no record of consent being sought for demolition of this building".
A 'listed' building is considered to be of special architectural or historical interest and as a result normally receives special protection preventing it from, for example, being knocked down.
Swansea has a variety of historic buildings protected in this way, but that does not necessarily prevent these sites from falling into disuse, dereliction and disrepair.
A council survey from 2018 found that the Capel Salem chapel was "at risk" of crumbling away to nothing.
Residents are said to have been left angered that the old Methodist chapel has gone.
One local resident, who wished to remain unnamed, claimed the listed building had been neglected for several years.
"People are really disappointed this historic building has not only been destroyed but it's been destroyed in this manner. It is sad really, some of these old buildings go back hundreds of years and they are part of our history and to lose that feels like we lose a bit of our identity," they said.
"It was one of the early Methodist churches in the Swansea Valley. There is a special procedure to follow when removing listed buildings."
A spokesperson for Swansea Council said: "Building control officers recently visited the site of the chapel because of concerns with the stability of the building. Inspections determined the building was in significant danger of collapse, presenting an imminent danger to the general public. The property owners were advised of the urgent need to make the site safe.
"Discussions are continuing with the owners in relation to the listed nature of the building and requirements to apply retrospectively for listed building consent for the demolition."
However, the email seen by WalesOnline, apparently sent to a local resident on December 21, 2021, by Cadw - the historic environment service of the Welsh Government, which works to protect historic buildings and sites within Wales, said: "Cadw has no record of consent being sought for demolition of this building; and we would only agree to demolition in exceptional circumstances."
It continued: "I have contacted the local planning authority’s (LPA) conservation officer, who has advised that Swansea Building Control asked the owner to make the building safe following Storm Arwen. The owner was well aware that consent would be required to undertake works.
"Enforcement officers visited yesterday and cautioned the owner, who agreed to halt, but evidently the owner has carried on. It is a criminal offence to undertake works to a listed building without consent – even a Section 7 exemption would require notification to the LPA and their agreement."
WalesOnline has been unable to contact the owner of the property.
When we contacted Cadw, it referred us on to Swansea Council, which provided its statement.
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