A 19TH century Wesleyan Methodist Chapel near Settle which closed in March 2020 at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, could be converted to a home.

An application to North Yorkshire Council seeks full permission for the conversion of the former chapel in Church Lane, Rathmell, to a two-bedroom home. Built in 1846 and extended in 1903, the building currently consists of a main worship place, with the extended annexe providing a lobby, kitchen, toilet and store.

Proposed is to subdivide the main chapel space to a lounge and two bedrooms with the annexe used as lobby, kitchen, store and shower room. No external alterations are required or proposed states the planning statement with the application.

It states: "When the opportunity to fully reopen closed public buildings following the end of the pandemic in early 2022, it became evident that there weren’t enough parishioners in the village to justify reopening, and it is understood that the existing parishioners were happy to continue attending Settle Methodist Church, who had been streaming their weekly live worship service during the pandemic. The applicant understands, from enquiries to the church, that there had been no use or requests for alternative uses of the building since its closure in March 2020."

It continues that the building is small with no parking and evidence suggests there has been no demand for its continued use as a place of worship. Methodists go to Settle Methodist Church, and Anglicans to Rathmell Holy Trinity Church.

The chapel is classed as Class F1 with alternative uses museums, libraries, reading rooms, public halls or exhibition halls, provision of education, display of works of art and law courts. But, says the application statement the village already has Rathmell Reading Room and Rathmell Old School, both of which are used as public space.

The planning statement concludes: "The former Methodist Chapel has been empty for four years, and now has the opportunity to be put to a new residential use that would contribute to the vitality of Rathmell. A residential use is the most suitable and sensitive use that could be achieved for the property in view of its scale, proximity to other residential properties, and lack of parking facilities.

The proposed residential use as a two bedroom dwelling would generate less traffic than the lawful use of the building under Use Class F1. The proposal would not have any adverse impact upon neighbouring residents, or upon the amenity of the future occupiers of the dwelling."

A decision is awaited by the secretary of state as to whether Rathmell Old School is owned by a group of village trustees or by the Anglican Diocese of Leeds.