Plans to bring a chapel in the grounds of a Breconshire hospital back to life will get underway this year.

Repair work and refurbishment will take place this year on the well-loved and recognisable chapel at Bronllys Hospital, following the successful appointment of award-winning AHR Architects.

The chapel is Grade II listed.

Listing means there will be extra control over what changes can be made to a building's interior and exterior.

AHR Architects will be working with the Local Authority Planning Department and CADW - the Welsh Government’s historic environment service - to develop a scheme which will repair and refurbish the existing building in a sympathetic fashion.

The chapel, based in the grounds of Bronllys Hospital, has not been used for several years, but is in a relatively good condition. It does however require upgrades in relation to its listed status, including both heating and electrics.

Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) has undertaken routine repairs and maintenance, but it is recognised that a more significant investment is needed to make the building warm, safe and usable, including consideration of a decarbonisation-friendly heating system. The intent for this first phase of work is to deliver a “usable” building.

The approved plans will now allow a suitable contractor to be appointed and costs to be identified for the building process.

Further updates will be provided, and the wider community, along with community groups, will be invited to contribute funds.

Recent discussions have already taken place with Bronllys Well Being Park (BWBP) and a meeting is planned, with an invite extended to other interested community groups like Bronllys League of Friends and the Veterans’ group. The meeting will begin to develop ideas of how, in conjunction with the Health Board needs, the chapel can help, and support healthcare and wellbeing activity based at the Bronllys Hospital site.