Historic chapel “financial drain” saved with retail and residential development

PLANS have been submitted to save a former chapel in York, which was dubbed a “financial drain” by the former tenants, with a residential and retail development which will create up to 20 jobs.

York developers S Harrison have proposed a redevelopment of Groves Chapel, close the the city centre, which will transform them from vacant offices.

Apartments and a Sainsbury’s Local are part of the new blueprints for the site, which was formerly used as offices by York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Gavin Douglas, design manager at Harrison, said: “This Grade II-listed building was built in the 1880s and is in desperate need of repair, requiring a substantial investment to ensure it doesn’t deteriorate even further.

“It is considered to be ‘at risk’ by Historic England and City of York Council, but our plans will secure its future whilst also providing much-needed housing and a valuable convenience store on a brownfield site.

A spokesperson for the York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “The building was placing a significant financial drain on the Trust and all NHS organisations are obliged to dispose of surplus assets in order to deliver the best financial return for the NHS.

“The offer from S Harrison was the best we received. The proceeds from the sale of Groves Chapel will allow the Trust to reinvest in the improvement of the clinical care environment at York Hospital.”