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A parish council’s bid to have a village church designated as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) has been rejected by North Yorkshire Council. 

Kirkby Malzeard Methodist Church – also known as Ebenezer Chapel – had been disused since 2022 and Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council applied to have it listed as an ACV in August.

It is currently listed for sale as a commercial property with a guide price of £180,000 by Skipton estate agent David Hill.

North Yorkshire Council made its assessment last week and decided to reject the nomination because the church “does not meet the definition of community value as detailed in the Localism Act 2011”. 

It also recommended that the church, which is on the village’s Main Street, be placed on the North Yorkshire Council Assets of Community Value List of Unsuccessful Nominations. 

Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council will next meet on Monday (October 30), when members are expected to discuss the matter.

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