Village chapel conversion plans

A Grade II listed nineteenth century stone and cob chapel in North Devon could become a family home – with its own pulpit.

Eastacombe Chapel, at Eastacombe village, between Tawstock and Barnstaple, was once a non-conformist chapel with period features such as a roundel and semi-circular rounded windows, and was sold at an online auction last spring with a guide price of £50,000.

The chapel, in a building dating from 1818, closed in 2019 and is now in disrepair, accordingt to planning documents to North Devon Council.

Planning permission was previously granted to convert it nto a three bedroom home, but while building works were under way in 2022, a portion of a wall fell out. Structural elements are now supported on temporary props.

Shane Andrew has submitted a new application for a self-built family home and intends to retain some of the pews and the pulpit in its current position.

Former trustees of the chapel said its use declined and it was no longer needed by the community.

Agent for the applicant PMA said the proposal would preserve and enhance the Grade II assets of the building.

“The works will provide a high-quality development which will bring life back to this unused building and positively enhance the character of the local area,” it said.