Bainbridge Chapel Transformation Complete
We were proud to join the community in Bainbridge, North Yorkshire, on Friday 22nd November to celebrate the official opening of two beautiful new affordable homes. These unique 2-bed flats were created within the walls of a former Methodist Chapel.
This unique project has been years in the making, led by the Upper Dales Community Land Trust (UDCLT) and delivered in partnership with North Star Housing Group. It’s a great example of what can be achieved when communities, housing providers, and local authorities work together with a shared purpose.
The chapel was purchased by UDCLT in 2022 with an £80,000 grant from Richmondshire District Council. Local builders Randall Orchard Construction Ltd began work in January 2024 and completed the project in September 2024.
Guests at the event included former Prime Minister and Richmond MP Rishi Sunak, our CEO James Walder, as well as representatives from Homes England and North Yorkshire Council.
One of the new residents, Callum Spence, welcomed visitors into his home, giving everyone a chance to see the stunning transformation for themselves. While the building has been carefully restored to preserve its original charm - including the reuse of chapel pews as hallway benches- it now also features modern touches like energy-efficient heating, windows, and doors.
The £531,000 project was funded by North Star, Homes England, and the former Richmondshire District Council. We will now manage the homes, which will be available only to local residents, forever. That means these homes will always be here for the Bainbridge community.
Councillor Yvonne Peacock, who grew up in the village and is a trustee of the UDCLT, spoke movingly about her personal connection to the chapel, and gave heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.
Our CEO, James Walder, said:
"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, shared:
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.”
Rishi Sunak MP praised the project, 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 is already looking ahead to future opportunities and is in conversation with us about continuing to work together to meet local housing needs. We're excited about what comes next and proud to be part of creating sustainable, affordable homes that help keep communities together.
