Community groups invited to take over management of historic Pudsey chapels

Community groups and not for profit organisations are being offered the opportunity to take on the management and upkeep of two historic cemetery chapels and spire in a west Leeds community.

Currently the two chapels located on Cemetery Road in Pudsey are closed and have been in void management since June, 2013. The building which makes up both chapels and spire dates back to 1875, and overlooks a near 12-acre cemetery which was listed as a Grade II* park and garden in May, 2002.

Any not-for-profit group or local organisation expressing an interest in a Community Transfer would have the chance through a lease agreement to bring the building, which since its closure has fallen into disrepair, back into use in some way, as long as their vision brings community benefits and is in keeping with the local area. One of the chapels was consecrated in May 1875 by the Church of England and any group wishing to take over the site would also need to consider this element as part of their outline proposals.

For more details on how to make an expression of interest bid, which must be submitted by 1pm on 28 February 2019, please see the Notes to editors section.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, said:

“The two chapels on Cemetery Road are an important part of Pudsey’s history and we are extremely keen to see what can be done to return the building to its former glory.

“With that in mind, we are now inviting expressions of interest for a Community Asset Transfer that would give not for profit and community groups the opportunity to take over the site and return it into use. We would ask anyone who is interested to contact us for more information.”

Notes to editors:

Expressions of interest:

Expressions of interest must be submitted by 1pm on 28 February 2019. Expressions should be no more than 2,000 words and must cover the following:

• Background of the organisation including legal status

• The community benefits brought about by the organisation

• Details of the proposed project regarding Pudsey Cemetery Chapels

• How the project will benefit the local community

• The financial viability of the project

• Details of any third party capital and revenue funding that will be necessary for the project and the status of any bids for such funding

• How much the organisation is prepared to offer for the site (if anything)

All expressions of interest should be submitted to assetmanagement@leeds.gov.uk

For more information contact Michele Kelly via email: michele.kelly@leeds.gov.uk or by phone on 0113 3787732.

For media enquiries, please contact;

Colin Dickinson, Leeds City Council press office

Tel: 0113 37 89170.

Email: colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk