Taking on disused buildings

[johnandrew]

Hi

I'm sure someone here can point me in the right direction with regard to the followwing.

Our village cemetary contains a rather cute victorian chapel of rest that has stood empty for a number of years. It is showing signs of disrepair but is basically sound. The council officer is charge of cemetaries in our area came to the local conservation society meeting last week and the subject of the building was raised. He said tthe council are willing to give this little chapel away as they have no use for it and cannot pay to have it repaired/maintained. Where do we start if thinking about taking on such a project?

Thanks

John.

 

[robgil]

what would you be considering doing with it? keeping it on as a chapel?

 

[johnandrew]

No. We might use it as a base for the conservation society and as a general resource for the village. To be honest I/we have not given it much thought. The concern is that it goes to rack and ruin and gets pulled down.

 

[TimM]

In Hebden the town has recently taken over the old (underused, at risk) UDC council offices for use by the community (transferred from the council) http://www.hebdenbridgetownhall.org.uk/

 

[johnandrew]

Thanks Tim

I have seen this mentioned in the in the HB Times.

The website seems very informative and the whole enterprise looks very well organised - I'm hope it will be a great success. I might even be using it myself in days to come.

John

 

[TimM]

Hi John

I think they've followed an interesting model - as far as I can see by being a trust/charity/not for profit/whatever they've been able to tap into grants and community support that Calderdale just can't for whatever reason - I think its definitely worth trying to save the little chapel - there are so many of these that have been left to ruin, it is pretty heartbreaking.

 

[vicky whitworth]

Hi John, what a wonderful opportunity. I hope you can make a go of it. I really like the idea of common ownership of buildings that need care in the community. Our Grade II village school has now stood empty since the Summer of last year. It was bought by a developer for tuppence ha'penny and he's not done anything with it. Whether he's in discussion with the Council about what they will let him do I don't know. I know he wants to build houses in the playground. I think he may be waiting til it gets in a terrible state of disrepair and then apply for something dramatic. I wish I had the money to buy it. It's beautiful.

 

[AMc]

It's worth checking out how long it's been disused. There are VAT breaks for bringing empty homes back into occupation after a certain number of years - not sure that would apply but worth trying to establish.

 

[johnandrew]

The building is not suitable as residential housing. It would be taken on as resource for the community possibly by the local conservation society which is a registered charity. Before moving on this we will have to consider carefully what uses it could be put to. It currently has no sewage connection so is not immediately suitable for youth groups/meetings, etc.

I am going to pop down there today and take a few photos which I will post if anyone is interested.

John

 

[Penners]

johnandrew - what an interesting topic!

I have nothing even vaguely resembling expert advice to offer. However, I think my first concern would be to investigate what sort of restrictions and covenants the council might place on the building, as conditions of its disposal free of charge.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Hi John, what a wonderful opportunity. I hope you can make a go of it. I really like the idea of common ownership of buildings that need care in the community. Our Grade II village school has now stood empty since the Summer of last year. It was bought by a developer for tuppence ha'penny and he's not done anything with it. Whether he's in discussion with the Council about what they will let him do I don't know. I know he wants to build houses in the playground. I think he may be waiting til it gets in a terrible state of disrepair and then apply for something dramatic. I wish I had the money to buy it. It's beautiful.

It's got some lovely neighbours too, Vicky!!!

 

[johnandrew]

Went down to the chapel to have a nosey around and take a few photos.

View attachment 2
View attachment 1

 

[johnandrew]

More photos....signs of neglect and decay....and cement mortar pointing!


View attachment 1

 

[jocelyn plummer]

John Andrew, there will definitely be some Community Funding around. Well worth investigating. Good Luck

 

[johnandrew]

I have just come across an old photo of the cemetery. Must have been a good few years ago as the cemetery is now full.

http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/wtw/search/controlservlet?PageId=Detail&DocId=101727

John