A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of a former chapel in Gunnislake, following the dismissal of a planning appeal. The Callington and Gunnislake District of the Methodist Church applied for planning permission to demolish the Ebenezer Chapel, which has not been used for services for more than two years, and build three houses with garages on the site. Caradon District Council refused planning permission, and the church submitted an appeal against the decision, which was heard by planning inspector Elizabeth Lawrence. Ms Lawrence said the proposed scheme 'would seriously and unacceptably harm the character and appearance of the locality and would result in an un-neighbourly form of development'. The scheme would also harm the living conditions of the occupiers of 1 Chapel Street and dwelling three of the development due to 'overlooking'. The 'cramped nature of the scheme' was highlighted, and reference made to the fact the chapel building had been identified as 'significant' in the 'Cornwall Industrial Settlements Initiative — Gunnislake'. Ms Lawrence said she considered the chapel made 'a considerable contribution to the character and appearance of the street scene and the roofscape of Gunnislake'. The concerns of local people over the loss of facilities for the playgroup and the potential of the building for conversion were 'appreciated' but did not add considerably to the other concerns, she said. Methodist minister The Rev Howard Curnow said he was disappointed with the result of the appeal. 'It seems a shame. The building appears to be a bit of a white elephant. We shall have to consider the situation afresh,' he said. Following the initial planning application a campaign to save the chapel from demolition and transform it into a community venue focusing on youth was launched, with Gunnislake Pre-School, which holds sessions five days a week at the chapel, at the forefront. Lyn Meech, secretary of the pre-school, said, the group had now made alternative plans. 'We've got a new home and are planning on moving to the primary school, which should be good for everyone,' she said. 'The church hall is in dire need of renovation or knocking down. The ideal thing would have been for the pre-school to finance buying it, but the amounts were beyond us and applying for grants takes time.' Ms Leech said the move to the school had been delayed due to a flooding incident, and the group was applying to the church for an extension to continue using the premises for the time being.