PLANS to change the ground floor of a disused Pembroke Dock chapel to a boxing club have had an unexpected spanner thrown in the works, despite gaining the go-ahead from county planners.

An application by Christopher McEwen of Pembroke Amateur Boxing Club for a change of use for the empty Grade 2 listed St Andrews Chapel in the town’s Bush Street was conditionally approved last Friday, August 7.

The application states the conversion would provide “a resource for the whole community to access, with a focus on promoting self-confidence”.

It will also house a museum dedicated to the history of the chapel.

The club had previously hoped to be based at Pembroke’s St Michael’s Church Hall, with a promised £89,000 from Rhoscrowther Wind Farm Ltd, which became unavailable after plans for five wind turbines were refused by county planners.

The club has since secured funds through a variety of sources, including fundraising more than £25,000 itself, enough money to cover the purchase cost and the early stages of renovation work at Bush Street.

Despite this, the club has hit a snag; a church group from London is holding up plans while it deliberates on the future of pews in the chapel.

Chris said: “They’re trying to say that the pews are in good condition and it would upset the building if they remove them.

“Our argument is that building has been vacant for ‘x’ amount of years, if we didn’t step in it’s in danger of being beyond repair.

“We’ve lodged a letter to them and we find out next week. The ideal situation would be if they take the pews; they’re happy and we’re happy and we can move forward.

“It would be good for the area and this fantastic boxing club will be able to have something to call its home.”