Archaeology derails loneliness shed project

The workshop would have replaced existing buildings used for storage at the church

Plans for a centre to tackle loneliness have been refused due to the potential for archaeological finds at the site.

A planning application was submitted in September to build a workshop on the grounds of St Peter's Church in Addingham, near Ilkley.

It would have replaced existing storage buildings and was designed to encourage people to get together for woodwork crafts and repairs.

However, the application was rejected by planners for a range of reasons including the possibility the site contained Anglo-Saxon archaeological remains.

Dubbed The Shed Project, it had been aimed at people who were retired, unemployed or who live alone.

The application was submitted by the Parochial Church Council, and supported by Addingham Parish Council.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the West Yorkshire Archaeological Advisory Service raised concerns about the plans.

It pointed out that Addingham was one of the oldest settlements in West Yorkshire, and the site of St Peter's Church could contain significant evidence of the village's history.

"The potential for locating Anglo-Saxon settlement is perhaps greater on the knoll now occupied by church and rectory.

"This site, just above south bank of Wharfe, would be a more likely place for a settlement than the lower ground prone to flooding. This location would have been sought after in earlier periods.

"The archaeological potential for buried archaeology is therefore high."

It suggested more needed to be done to document whether there were significant archaeological remains on the site before any new structure was built.

'Significant remains'

Conservation officers also raised concerns about the proximity of the new building to the Grade I listed church.

Another objection was raised by ecological officers on the council over the potential for harming bats.

Refusing the application, planning officers said: "The proposal includes the removal of the walls and roof of an existing structure that is within Bradford Bat Alert Zone.

"The application is not accompanied by a site-specific, up-to-date Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment report undertaken by a qualified ecologist."

Referring to the potential archaeology of the site, officers said: "The application site lies wholly within the ancient scheduled monument comprising an Anglo-Saxon cemetery and medieval manorial centre including fishponds and part of an open field system adjacent to St Peter's Church which has the potential to contain archaeological remains of significance.

"The application is not accompanied by an appropriate investigatory evaluation of the impact the proposed structure would have on archaeological significance."

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