A FORMER Methodist Church in Cowling could be replaced with homes.

An application to North Yorkshire Council seeks full planning permission for the redevelopment of the currently empty St Andrew's Methodist Church in Walton Street to four homes.

The church, which is currently up for sale with a guide price of £180,000, would be demolished under the plans, and a terrace of four homes built on the site.

A design and access statement with the application says the proposed dwellings have been designed to match the 'form and style of the surrounding terrace housing' and will be 'more sympathetic to the character of the conservation area than the existing building.'

In a letter of support, Tim Sharp, managing trustee of the Airedale Methodist Circuit, says before it closed in August last year, the church was part of the Craven Church.

"The congregation meeting at Cowling dwindled to just a small handful of people and the building, which was constructed in the middle of the 1970s and expected to have an economic life of around 30 years, is approaching 50 years old; it has become unsafe and is in need of re-development. The services have been disconnected where possible, and no-one can safely use the failing building.

"A lengthy process of prayerful consultation was undertaken with the local community before the Yorkshire West District Synod of the Methodist Church was asked to consider a proposal to cease worship and allow the sale of St Andrew’s Methodist Church."

He added: "There is a relatively new village hall in Cowling, which hosts a range of community based activities.

"As part of a bigger picture, the Airedale Methodist Circuit is making changes to ensure the Methodist Church has a bright future in Airedale.

"A visioning process, which began in 2019 is ongoing. The circuit wants to maintain a Christian presence in local communities, but it also makes sense to consolidate resources and efforts, so that smaller number of premises can be maintained at a high standard."