Former church in Huddersfield village to become new housing
Plans to convert a former Methodist church in a Huddersfield village into housing have been given the green-light by Kirklees Council.
The Grade II Listed former Linthwaite Methodist Church sits on the eastern side of the junction of Chapel Hill, Waingate, and Stones Lane. The historic property dates back to 1867 and sits in a predominantly residential area. It is close to the ‘new’ Linthwaite Methodist Church on Stones Lane.
With permission granted, nine apartments will be set across four floors, with two units on the lower ground floor, three units on the ground floor, three units on the first floor and one unit on the second floor, a supporting Design and Access Statement on behalf of the applicant explains. All but one would have two bedrooms, the other, one bedroom. The space previously used as a garden area will provide parking for ten cars.
The application acknowledges that the proposals will “inevitably” lead to “some loss” of historic fabric and character, but provide a “long-term solution” to the “continued deterioration” of the building while bringing human activity back to it. The housing plan is described as the only “viable option” for the building, with this view supported by a viability assessment.
The site was marketed for at least three years by two different estate agents. In this time, there was no interest in continuing the commercial use, or any other community use of the building, only approaches for housing developments. In addition, “mothballing” the building until the market picks up was not considered to be an option, particularly due to the “urgent” structural remedial work required.
Now that the plans have got the go-ahead, the applicant – ABM Developments Ltd – must begin the works within three years.