Little Chapel takes ‘Disney element’ out of upgrade plans
PLANS to enhance the Little Chapel have been changed following concerns being raised.
The ‘hobbit hole’ by the car park has been scrapped to alleviate fears that the area around the much-loved landmark was being ‘Disneyfied’.
The idea behind the hobbit hole was that children could let off some steam by feeling that they had just stepped into the world of JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, thus keeping the actual chapel more tranquil.
However, this raised questions about the author’s religious beliefs and whether it was appropriate, so the trustees of the Little Chapel Foundation have agreed to remove that part of the application.
There has also been clarification about what the plans entail, because the trustees feel there has been a lot of ‘misinformation’ spread by a small group of people.
John Silvester, the chairman of the foundation, said the overriding aim of the renovation was to improve accessibility, meet health and safety rules and introduce measures to improve biodiversity.
‘The main thrust of the application is two-fold. The States have been debating access for all, and we know if we don’t provide disability access then we will be told to do it. The second aspect is the environment. We want to dramatically improve the biodiversity to create a pretty and pleasant area to visit and enjoy.
‘We need to control the flow of people through the chapel, so by bringing people safely from the buses through our land at a much slower pace, we can then make sure there are 12 people at a time going through the chapel instead of 300 people at a time.’
As well as taking out the hobbit hole, the trustees have also updated the plans to improve access to the clockmakers’ at the back.
Critics of the scheme are worried that the plans go against the spirit of the founder, Brother Deodat, who wanted to create a place of worship, prayer and peace.
The Catholic Dean, Father Bruce Barnes, has spoken out because of the number of representations he has received from islanders worried about a threat to the religious ethos and the potential for a Disney experience.
The Guernsey Guild of Accredited Guides, taxi drivers and the Guernsey Flower Arranging Society have also come out against the plans.
The Little Chapel was upgraded a few years ago and is famous throughout the world. It is feared it could become a victim of its own popularity.
An estimated 70,000 people visited this year and the foundation says this is ‘too many visitors at peak times’ for the current state of the facilities.
Included in the plans are a new entrance off the car park to try to stop congestion, and the main pathway would also be split to provide wheelchair access to the upper chapel for the first time.
Steps at the front of the chapel would be reconfigured because they are uneven and dangerous and there would also be a handrail.
The consultation period has ended and the Development & Planning Authority will consider its decision, which may take place at an open planning meeting.
