A former Catholic church looks set to be demolished after the green light was given by council planners – despite local opposition.

The Resurrection of Our Saviour church in Morfa Nefyn was built in 1967-68, in light of the increasing number of summer visitors to the area. But half a century on, Gwynedd Council’s planning department received an application to raze it to the ground – having fallen victim to a sweeping closure programme announced by the Bishop of Wrexham in 2016.

The move saw 22 catholic churches being closed across north Wales, with Bishop Brignall of Wrexham Diocese acknowledging that it would be seen “by some as shocking and a scandal”.

The plan submitted by ECA Associates Ltd and now approved by planning officers, will see the site “cleared, levelled and seeded pending potential redevelopment proposals” after accepting that the “redundant” building “is no longer required.”

The decision comes despite opposition from Nefyn Town Council who urged planning chiefs to refuse on the grounds of it being a “historical building” as well as the proximity of a public footpath to the church and concerns over access.

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