The Dean and Chapter of Brecon Cathedral writes in response to a letter printed in last week’s Brecon and Radnor Express about the Brecon Cathedral project.

Peter Jenkins’ letter to the editor of the Brecon and Radnor Express issue (October 26 2022) about the Brecon Cathedral project gives the Dean and Chapter an opportunity to set clarify the facts. We also point that, in particular:

• Brecon Cathedral is alongside St David’s and Llandaff Cathedrals as one of the great religious buildings in Wales

• There are serious problems with the condition of the roofs due to decades of neglect, which if not addressed will lead to Brecon Cathedral deteriorating putting it as risk of closure.

• The Wales Committee of the National Heritage Lottery Fund have potentially offered up to £1.4m towards the costs of the project and it would be irresponsible not to accept it. We will have no credibility in raising funds if we have turned down such a generous offer.

• There is a desperate need to improve disabled access to the Cathedral. The Archbishop of Canterbury recently wrote that disability and accessibility should be considered in relation to heritage and take priority. Our proposals have been agreed by the experts at Cadw, the guardians of the heritage of Wales, and by the Lottery Heritage Fund. The work will be subject to an archaeological watching brief. It is a privilege to know that our plans are being scrutinised by the leading organisations with responsibility for ensuring the ongoing sustainability of the heritage of Wales combined with the widest possible engagement.

• While it is true that consultation and communication haven’t always been good during Covid lockdown, for which we have apologised, the proposals have been well known for about 4 years and we worked tirelessly to move the application forward without further delay of decay and risk.

• The extensive open meeting at the Cathedral on April 9 this year was also a step in the right direction and was followed up by the return of the questionnaires we issued on the day. The attendees were not just congregation members but representatives of the wider community, organisations, businesses, the arts and culture.

• The Lottery Heritage Fund are providing an initial £158k to enable us to undertake the detailed planning for the project and, as Dean and Chapter, we hope that all those who truly love the Cathedral, whether living locally or much further afield, will unite to offer their support to ensure that it survives through the centuries for future generations.

Dean and Chapter of Brecon Cathedral