'Stunning' Doncaster Victorian landmark building saved from demolition

Developers were looking to knock down the 157-year-old Balby Road Methodist Church and Doncaster Council had already given developer, Surjit Duhre, permission to go ahead.

But it today appears to have a secure future after it was given grade two listed status by Histotic England, following an application from The Victorian Society.

A spokesman for the society said: “We are pleased to say that our listing application for this threatened Doncaster chapel has succeeded - it is now grade two-listed!”

Yorkshire conservation campaigner Pete Nixon, had described the building as ‘stunning after hearing it was due to be demolished.

Archie Sinclair, honourary secretary of the Doncaster Civic Trust, an architectural campaign group which wanted the building preserved, was delighted with the move.

He said: “Doncaster Civic Trust is very pleased that the Victorian Society notified Historic England about the Chapel's imminent demolition.

“Historic England then investigated the history and architecture of the Chapel in detail before recommending the Government to list the building. This means that the entire building is now protected from demolition or alteration without listed building consent. Its future is secured and any proposals for the building will be carefully considered in the light of the listing.”

Granting listed status, Historic England gave four reasons why the building was of architectural interest. It added it was of historical interest because ‘the prominent location and exuberant appearance of the chapel demonstrates a pride and self-belief on the part of the aspirational, working-class congregation at a time when urban Doncaster was booming, driven primarily by the growth of engineering, particularly for the railways.’

Doncaster Council had previousy approved demolition. Its conservation officer had said the history of the site and building had some external features but internally little of interest remained, and said there was not likely to be interested in listing the building.

A planning application for the developer, who wants to build housing on the site, warned that with no current interest in the building itself, it could stand empty for years and fall into further disrepair.

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