CASE STUDY
St James Church Hall, Alnwick - Provision of Affordable Housing in a rural Market Town
Summary: Redevelopment of St James’s United Reformed Church in Alnwick, Northumberland, to
provide affordable rural housing.
Description: Alnwick is a small market town in
North Northumberland, with a population of
over 30,000. It is considered to be the most
picturesque market town in Northumberland
and voted the Best Place to Live in Britain by
Country Life Magazine in 2002. The Victorian
church hall is set within the grounds of the
grade II listed St James Church and within the
Alnwick Conservation Area.
Issue: The Grade II listed St James Church
and its hall were in urgent need of
renovation, but redevelopment costs were
estimated at £1 million. The congregation
were also looking for a way to make a
positive contribution to the wider community.
Like most rural areas, Alnwick suffered from
an under-supply of affordable housing.
Strategy: A local developer offered to purchase the hall, in partnership with a local housing
association, in order to provide its quota share of nine affordable housing units on a nearby openmarket development. Working closely with officers from the former Alnwick District Council, the
Charity Commission agreed the plan. The proceeds of the sale amounted to 50% of the total
redevelopment cost, with the remainder being obtained from grants such as the NAHP from the
Homes and Community Agency.
Outcome: The new centre opened in May 2008 and
hosts a place of worship adapted for the needs of a
21st century congregation, with a large hall, a
conference / meeting room and a fully equipped
kitchen. In addition, the project represents the
successful use of an historic building to provide
much-needed affordable rural housing in a sensitive
historic context. Set within the grounds of the Grade
II-listed St James Church, within the Alnwick
Conservation Area, the building includes five onebedroom flats and four split-level two-bedroom flats.
Within easy reach of all town centre amenities, the
scheme maintains the distinctive streetscape and
original features of the hall, including stained glass
windows.
Isos Housing Group redeveloped the historic St James Church Hall into nine apartments for
affordable rent, and the scheme picked up an award from the Royal Town Planning Institute
(RTPI). The scheme - completed for just £932,000 - was commended for "effective joint working"
with the Isos team working alongside no less than eight different partners and contractors.
The RTPI said “the building had been well
converted, maintaining the hall's traditional
features, including original stained glass
windows”.
The judges' report said: "The flexible use of planning powers, and effective joint working between a
housing association, local developer, council officers and an excellent professional team, have
encouraged the provision of affordable housing, the retention of an historic building with a new use,
and the refurbishment of the church.
In March 2010, the St James Church Hall
development was commended by the
Government Business Awards. The Awards
recognise effective business practice in local
and central government.
The award was for the social housing
partnership that has the potential to deliver a
measurable change in both the standard of
accommodation and the environmental
performance of the buildings and associated
land.
For further information, please contact John
Turnbull, Local Authority Housing Enabler (North),
Northumberland County Council
Tel. 01289 301 837
Email: John.Turnbull02@Northumberland.gov.uk