Parts of a roof at a historic Armley church will be replaced after council planners gave the green light.
The parochial church council at Christ Church Upper Armley has successfully applied for planning permission to replace a section of roofing at the grade II Listed building, off Armley Ridge Road.
Proposals include re-roofing the North Aisle, South Aisle & Vestry. All three roofs would be stripped back at the same time, and the North Aisle re-roofed in Westmorland slates which are recoverable and re-usable from the other roofs.
The South Aisle & Vestry roofs – which the applicant says cannot easily be seen – would be re-roofed in high-quality Spanish slate. The modern membrane gutter linings to the Vestry roof would be replaced with stainless steel.
A council planning officer’s report approving the plan states the application is a “back up” should it not be possible to salvage sufficient slate to re-roof the aisles and vestry in Westmorland
The report concludes: “Proposals are supported by the Conservation Officer, subject to a satisfactory slate sample being conditioned to ensure that the Spanish slate will match the Westmorland slate.
“The heritage significance of the Listed Building and Armley Conservation Area will be preserved with retained historic fabric and a closely matching replacement slate.”
The plans can be viewed in full here.
£20,000 learning hub grant
Christ Church Upper Armleyhas received a national Growing Faith Foundation grant.
The church will have funding of £20,000 to spend over two years, giving them the chance to trial, reflect and re-develop different outreach and discipleship methods, improving consistency between home, church and school life.
The Rt Revd Arun Arora, Bishop of Kirkstall, said: “I’m delighted that Christ Church will be working alongside local schools to promote faith development among our young people.
“I look forward to seeing the results!”
With these resources the church will establish a safe space for young people to be creative, and will also promote faith formative activities in senior and primary school alongside a developing programme for empowering parents and children for discipleship at home.
Alex Burbidge, Diocesan Growing Faith Lead, said: “The Diocesan Children, Young People and Families team are enthusiastic to see this grant awarded!
“We’re looking forward to a wide impact as the hub develops and shares their learning as they explore discipleship at home, support transitions from primary to secondary school, and create youth provision shaped by the voices of young people.
“We are excited to see how this commitment to partnership between church, home, and school will nurture faith, build confidence, and transform the community.”
Through drawing on its strong connections and partnerships with community organisations, Christ Church hope to provide more opportunities for encounter and growth amongst young people in an area that faces considerable challenges in opportunities and deprivation.
The Rev Phil Arnold, Vicar at Christ Church, said: “This gives us an opportunity to work alongside the schools, Leeds Faith in schools, and Parenting for Faith, to provide young people with every opportunity to grow in faith. It’s exciting!”
The programme will begin in January 2026.
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