On Friday 22nd November, community members and dignitaries gathered in Bainbridge, North Yorkshire, to celebrate the transformation of the former Methodist Chapel into two two-bedroom flats for Affordable Rent.
The event marked the culmination of years of collaborative effort led by the Upper Dales Community Land Trust (UDCLT) in partnership with North Star Housing Group. Former Prime Minister and Richmond MP Rishi Sunak, North Star Housing Group CEO James Walder, and representatives of Homes England and the North Yorkshire Council were among those in attendance.
Tenant Callum Spence warmly welcomed guests into his new flat, offering them a firsthand look at the high-quality conversion that has preserved the building’s heritage while providing modern, energy-efficient homes.
The £531,000 project was funded by North Star Housing Group, the former Richmondshire District Council, and Homes England. North Star will manage the properties which will be available only to local residents in perpetuity.
Bainbridge-born Councillor Yvonne Peacock, a Trustee of the UDCLT, gave a heartfelt thanks to all involved and shared her deep personal connection to the chapel, it having been the venue for many personal milestones.
James Walder, CEO of North Star, reflected on the project:
“It is just a brilliant example of what working in partnership can deliver. The Upper Dales Community Land Trust and North Star Housing Group have come together to deliver two homes for people who might otherwise have had to move away from their local community due to the lack of affordable housing.”
Richard Panter, Area Manager for Homes England, praised the partnership, saying:
“Bainbridge is a fantastic example of partners working together to provide new, high-quality affordable homes in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Homes England is delighted to support this rural project which will have a real and lasting impact on the community and provides much-needed homes in a beautiful historic building.”
The former Methodist Chapel was purchased by the UDCLT in 2022 with an £80,000 grant from Richmondshire District Council. The construction phase, carried out by local builders Randall Orchard Construction Ltd, began in January 2024 and was completed in September. The project’s design retained key historical elements, such as repurposed chapel pews used as hallway seating, while incorporating modern features like energy-efficient heating, windows and doors.
Rishi Sunak MP added his appreciation, saying: “[The project] demonstrates something that we all share and that is the desire to make sure that our community, the place that we call home, can continue to be called home by people for generations to come.”
The UDCLT has a pipeline of further opportunities in mind and intends to build on the success of this first project to help address the region’s housing challenges. They are in talks with North Star about working as an ongoing partnership, creating sustainable, affordable housing that preserves the unique character of the Upper Dales and provides opportunities for local people to remain part of their communities
