Sofa surfer’s bold Dartmoor chapel plan praised as ‘exactly what Dartmoor needs’

A sofa surfer with a ‘unique’ plan to transform a redundant chapel on Dartmoor into an affordable home has been told his ideas are just what the moor needs.

Applicant Sinjun Saunders told members of the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) development management committee he was the ‘custodian’ of the old Methodist chapel at Crockernwell, and planned an ‘aesthetically pleasing’ new home.

He said he was currently ‘sofa surfing’ – staying with friends – but he and his partner would live in the new home, which would have bird and bat boxes to care for local wildlife.

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The concrete-block, pebble-dashed chapel was built in 1980 but closed due to falling numbers and an ageing population. It has been described as ‘incongruous’.

There were no objections to the plan, and West Devon Borough Council’s affordable housing team gave its support, as did Drewsteignton Parish Council.

Supporters said it would redevelop an ugly, redundant building and help keep the village vibrant and alive.

Mr Saunders agreed to a condition that the property should always be occupied by a local person who was in need of a home and could not afford the current market prices in the area.

Director of spatial planning, Dean Kinsella, told the meeting the plan was ‘unique’ and would not open the door for anyone with a derelict building on the moor.

“Every site is different,” he said. “This is a single, unique position.”

Members voted unanimously to let Mr Saunders go ahead, and DNPA chairman Mark Dracup told him: “This is exactly what Dartmoor needs.”