by Don Mort, local democracy reporter
Four historic cemetery chapels are set to be sold at auction to raise funds for the city council.
Leeds City Council said the chapels in Armley, Harehills, Horsforth and Otley were under-used and too expensive to maintain.
They were declared surplus to requirements in December 2025 and could be redeveloped by new owners.
Horsforth’s Victorian cemetery chapel, on Calverley Lane, has already been put on an auction site with a guide price of £50,000-plus.
The BTG Eddisons auction site said: “Dating from 1881, the stone-built property is of Gothic Revival design and features a central square tower topped by a tall slated spire.”
Architectural features of the Horsforth chapel included pitched slate roofs, archways, stone buttresses and carved crosses.
The website said: “The building retains stained-glass windows and a number of period features.
“The property represents an unique opportunity for a purchaser seeking a character building with potential for a range of alternative uses, subject to obtaining the necessary consents.”
A council report said sales of the four chapels would be on a 250-year leasehold basis.
It said: “It is proposed that the properties are now declared surplus to council requirements and sold on the open market by auction.
“A sale will generate capital receipts for the council and alleviate financial pressure due to continued maintenance and running costs.”
Ward councillors were consulted on the proposed sales and raised no concerns.
The report said: “It is likely that the new owners will redevelop the property, which could result in new employment and residential opportunities, which are known to bring health and well-being benefits.”
New owners would be expected to arrange the supply of utilities to the buildings, in agreement with the council.
Auction was deemed the best way of securing the highest possible sale price.
The report said: “This is the advantage over a sale by formal tender and could encourage improved bids being made.
“Contracts will be exchanged immediately on fall of the hammer and completion will be on an unconditional basis within a short and defined timescale.”
- WLD has been following local and national government cuts and building sales in West Leeds via its Cutswatch series here.
Sponsored content
I think what’s happened to harehills cemetery is absolutely disgraceful.
Leeds City Council should be ashamed of themselves. That cemetery has been there for many many years and for them to go round pushing people’s head stones over is absolutely abhorrent! Disgraceful!
My family have laid there quite peacefully for many years infact one of my families grave over 100 year old and was vandalised by leeds City Council. What does it cost for a caretaker and cctv? I think it’s very sad that the church there too has been closed for years and borded up. Save harehills cemetery and church! It’s been allowed for every scumbag to go and get away with vandalism. Leeds City Council are a total waste of time. How sad for everyone who’s families are they’re. Sickening! I hope whoever buys it will restore it and put decent cctv in to protect everyone’s graves. I’m so annoyed!