Plans for repair works to help bring a historic Grade II-listed cemetery chapel back into use are due to go before councillors for decision.

Sunderland City Council’s planning and highways committee will discuss and vote on plans for the South Chapel in Bishopwearmouth Cemetery.

The Anglican 1856 chapel has been dilapidated for years, with scaffolding previously erected to protect the tower and spirelet and the building being fenced off as part of an inspection.

Back in 2024, the council applied for listed building consent to carry out repairs, with a design and access statement at the time noting the building’s “poor condition”.

Repairs could soon be carried out to the Anglican 1856 South Chapel in Bishopwearmouth Cemetery. Credit LDRS.

placeholder image — Repairs could soon be carried out to the Anglican 1856 South Chapel in Bishopwearmouth Cemetery. Credit LDRS.

Issues included the “spirelet leaning and at risk of collapse”, parts of the building “breaking apart”, the chapel roof “slowly collapsing into the nave”, missing slates and water damage.

An initial scheme of repairs was approved by the council’s planning and highways committee in January of last year and covered both external and internal works.

This included repairs to the “spirelet and belfry masonry” and a “new roof superstructure” ahead of repairs and further development.

A heritage statement confirmed the wider project involves the “chapel being refurbished for use for crematorium services whilst the main crematorium has a major refurbishment”.

The round one application currently under consideration includes “adjustments” to the previous South Chapel repair scheme as well as works to the roof, window glass, floor and masonry repairs to ready the site for a separate round two application.

The round two application is expected to include “an interior fit out and new structures” such as a toilet block.

A council spokesperson previously confirmed the South Chapel refurbishment is part of a wider scheme of improvements at Bishopwearmouth Cemetery to “help ensure facilities remain respectful, functional and fit for the future.”

Council planning officers, in a report published ahead of next week’s decision-making planning and highways committee, have recommended the round one repairs for approval.

Councillors on the planning and highways committee will discuss the plans at a meeting on Wednesday, June 10, at City Hall.

The meeting is scheduled to start at 5.30pm and will be open to the public.

For more information, visit the council’s planning portal website and search for reference 26/00758/LB3.