Historic church hall heads to auction for £595k after council loses planning fight
Historic church hall could be sold for almost £600,000
A historic church hall could be sold for almost £600,000 after the council failed to stop homes being built on the site.
Newall Church Hall in Otley has been put up for auction after a developer won its planning appeal against Leeds City Council.
Six homes were proposed for the Newall Carr Road site, which dates back to the 1920s, under plans drawn up by B Houldsworth and Sons.
Councillors rejected planning permission for the scheme in October 2024, citing a loss of green space and impact on a heritage asset.
But a planning inspector ruled in the company’s favour in an appeal decision issued in September last year.
Now online auction firm BTG Eddisons is marketing the property with a guide price of £595,000-plus.
The auction site said it was “a development opportunity for six properties in Otley, Leeds.
“This involves the conversion of Newall Church Hall to form two dwellings and residential development of land to the rear for four further dwellings, with associated green space, landscaping and infrastructure.”
BTG Eddisons said the site was due to be sold in a live-streamed auction on July 29.
Planning permission was refused for the housing scheme despite city council officers recommending it for approval.
Over-ruling the council’s decision, the planning inspector said: “The proposal would provide six new well-designed dwellings within an existing residential area, contributing to local housing supply and the local economy.”