Addingham's Buried Past Halts Plans for Loneliness Center

In September 2025, a planning application was submitted to build a community workshop on the grounds of St Peter's Church in Addingham, near Ilkley. The workshop, dubbed "The Shed Project," was designed to encourage people who were retired, unemployed, or living alone to come together for woodwork crafts and repairs.

However, the application was rejected by local planners last month. The key reasons cited were the possibility of significant Anglo-Saxon archaeological remains being present on the site, as well as concerns about the proximity of the new building to the Grade I listed St Peter's Church and the potential harm to local bat populations.

The West Yorkshire Archaeological Advisory Service raised concerns that Addingham was one of the oldest settlements in the region, and the site of the church could contain important historical evidence. They suggested more investigation was needed before any new structure was built.

Conservation officers also objected to the workshop's proximity to the historic church, while ecological experts were worried about the impact on bats in the area. Ultimately, the planning application was refused, dashing hopes of establishing a much-needed community space to tackle loneliness in Addingham.