An ‘exuberant’ Grade II former Methodist church in Doncaster, ready for conversion into flats, is coming up for auction

A Grade II listed former Methodist church in Doncaster, with planning permission for conversion into flats, will be among the star commercial lots tempting bidders at Bond Wolfe’s next auction on Thursday 21 July.

The former Primitive Methodist Chapel on Balby Road, is listed with a guide price* of £136,500+ in what is Bond Wolfe’s first return to the auction room in two-and-a-half years.

Ron Darlington, consultant director at Bond Wolfe, said: “We expect lots of attention for this distinctive and attractive building, which has the potential for a landmark residential development.

“Planning permission has already been granted to extend and convert this former Methodist Church into nine one-bedroom flats and one two-bedroom flat with a four-storey rear extension.

“Car parking space at the rear currently occupies around half the area of the site. The internal fittings of the church have been removed and the building is effectively a hollow two-storey shell, awaiting redevelopment.”

The church was opened in 1868, built for the Primitive Methodist Church, and closed in 2008.

Historic England gave the church a Grade II listing in May 2020 for both its architectural and historical interest.

Historic England said: “The architecturally elaborate front elevation features an eclectic mixture of Gothic and classical details, topped by a bold, strongly Italian Romanesque corbel table, and using a plethora of materials and colours in an exuberant display unusual for Primitive Methodist chapels, which were generally plain.

“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.”

Mr Tudor added: “Outstanding buildings like this former Methodist church are among a wide range of commercial properties to suit all types of investors and are looking forward to a busy day in the auction room.”

The Balby Road property is among 206 lots appearing in Bond Wolfe’s auction that starts at 9.30am on 21 July in a return to the Holte Suite at Villa Park for the first time in two-and-a-half years.

For those not able to attend in person, the auction will continue to be livestreamed via Bond Wolfe’s website with remote bidding by proxy, telephone or internet.

For more details and to register to bid visit www.bondwolfe.com/property-auctions-west-midlands/ or email [email protected], or call 0121 312 1212 or 01902 928 510.

Anyone with properties to sell in a future auction can arrange a free appraisal by calling the auction team or visiting www.bondwolfe.com/free-property-appraisal/.