The four Leeds chapels now on the market for £350k
Cemetery chapels in Leeds on sale for £350,000
Four chapels at cemeteries around the city have gone on the market for a combined price of at least £350,000.
The buildings in Horsforth, Harehills, Armley and Otley were deemed surplus to requirements by Leeds City Council.
The chapel in Harehills was given the highest valuation at £170,000 when the sites were listed for auction.
Auction site BTG Eddisons said the building on Kimberley Road could be redeveloped.
It said: “Requiring renovation, the property offers potential for alternative uses or redevelopment, subject to the necessary consents.“
The property occupies an attractive and unique position within Harehills cemetery and comprises a single-storey former chapel with considerable character.”
Both the Horsforth and Armley chapels were listed with guide prices of £50,000-plus.
The Otley Cemetery chapel buildings were listed at £75,000, according to property website Rightmove.
The website said the Grade II-listed property was closed to transport links, sports clubs, restaurants and bars.
It said: “Constructed in rock-faced and ashlar sandstone beneath graduated Welsh slate roofs, the buildings feature an attractive Gothic Revival design, including a central tower and spire, pointed archway and decorative tracery window.”
A council report said sales of the four chapels would be on a 250-year leasehold basis.
The buildings were under-used and too expensive to maintain, the council said.
The report said: “It is proposed that the properties are now declared surplus to council requirements and sold on the open market by auction.“
A sale will generate capital receipts for the council and alleviate financial pressure due to continued maintenance and running costs.”
Auction was deemed the best way of securing the highest possible sale price.
The council said: “This is the advantage over a sale by formal tender and could encourage improved bids being made.“
Contracts will be exchanged immediately on fall of the hammer and completion will be on an unconditional basis within a short and defined timescale.”
Final sale prices for all four of the buildings are yet to be revealed.