IT has been brought to my attention that St Ebenezer?s in Chapel Street, Gunnislake, is threatened by demolition and redevelopment, three properties are being put in its place. When I moved to Gunnislake three years ago I knew nothing of the people and nothing of the history of the village. Since then I have been made completely welcome by its residents and have experienced something of community spirit, which I have never felt before. Now I am not a religious man but I do feel that the Methodist Chapel, St Ebenezer?s, almost certainly held an important role in giving the foundations of the sense of community spirit that we still benefit from today. St Ebenezer?s is a testament to what our forebears have given. Chapel Street is one of the attractive and mostly original streets in Gunnislake and St Ebenezer?s is an integral part of that street ? come on, let?s face it ? it is not called Chapel Street for nothing! I feel that development does not make environmental or sociological sense. Environmental sense because I know that knocking down and rebuilding leaves a bigger carbon footprint than conversion. Buildings like St Ebenezer?s have taken tens of tons of coal and thousands of man hours to build. In these energy conscious times, to simply knock these structures down is just irresponsible. My final point is on a sociological level. It is apparent to me that the only plausible use for the chapel is residential accommodation. I understand that people feel that parking would be a problem. I do not agree. There is no reason why the majority of the ground floor could not be turned over to parking with access through the side (currently a children?s playground). With roof space included this would still allow the construction of at least five flats. Yes, they would be small but this is my point. There is a great need for affordable accommodation and combined with the growing trend of single owner occupancy, this is the sort of accommodation that will be needed in the future. So can we say No together to ?just for profit? development and Yes to looking after buildings like St Ebenezer?s, which have served our communities for generations and should be given the good grace to serve them for many more. Toby Truman 3 Chapel Street Gunnislake
