Plans for revamp of Wymondham Becket's chapel approved

The proposals to revamp Becket's Chapel in Wymondham were met with strong local opposition amid fears that the landmark building would be turned into a "carbuncle".

Most of the Grade I listed structure dates to around the 1300s and has required urgent repairs in recent years, but the latest plans sought to add a modern extension for a new cafe. 

Despite objections, South Norfolk Council's planning committee voted to approve the designs at a meeting this week. 

Designs for the chapel extension (Image: Submitted) The decision has caused fury among locals who say there has not been sufficient community engagement - particularly due to a spelling blunder which resulted in the planning application being unsearchable on the council website. 

John Weston, who lives locally, said: "I'm dumbfounded by this application - what has been proposed is a meaningless, grey, industrial tin shed on the site of a Grade I listed chapel.

"This is completely alien to its context and will have an extremely damaging impact."

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Becket's Chapel in Wymondham (Image: Newsquest) Kathryn Cross, a South Norfolk councillor and Wymondham local, said: "I totally support the efforts to restore this historic building and preserve it for generations to come. 

"However, this needs to go back to the drawing board. I can't get behind a design which falls short of recognising the heritage of not just the chapel but the whole area in which it sits.

"These designs have been described as a soulless abomination and depressing carbuncle that removes another iconic view from the Wymondham streetscape."

She expressed concern that the spelling of Becket's Chapel as 'Beckett's' on South Norfolk Council's planning portal had prevented people from being able to find and comment on the application. 

Becket's Chapel when it was home to the town library (Image: Angela Sharpe) However, council officers argued that the display of notices around the site has constituted sufficient community engagement. 

The plans, submitted by Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust, will see the chapel extended to house a new cafe and visitor centre, ensuring its "economic viability" for years to come.

The group purchased the building in 2022 and has since carried out extensive repairs.

Richard Halsey, a historian representing the trust, said: "We want to clearly announce this new phase in the building's long history by creating an obvious and welcoming entrance when approaching from the marketplace.

"We believe this extension will add to - rather than detract from - the architectural interest of this focal point in central Wymondham."

South Norfolk Council's planning committee voted in favour of the application at a meeting on Wednesday.

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Wymondham town sign in front of Becket's Chapel (Image: Bill Smith) BECKET'S CHAPEL HISTORY

The chapel is thought to be the town's oldest building, having been founded in the late 12th century, although most of the surviving structure dates to around the 1300s.

The chapel had been owned by the nearby Wymondham Abbey until King Henry VIII dissolved monasteries across the UK, which brought its closure in 1538.

During the reign of Edward VI, it was converted into a grammar school.

By the 1800s the ground floor was used as a coach house for the parish fire engine and the parish lock-up. The grammar school used the upper floor.

Following extensive restoration works the chapel was reopened in 1873 as a public hall and then used as a school again until 1903.

In 1948, it became a county branch library, with extensive works carried out including a new lobby entrance. The library closed in 2008.

Much of the site fell into disrepair, with overgrown vegetation and debris piled against the walls, roof tiles in poor condition and areas suffering from dampness.

Despite recent refurbishment works, Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust say further development is required to ensure the site's future maintenance and to avoid it falling into disrepair again due to a lack of inappropriate income.