'Iconic' former church in Northampton – which has been broken into, set fire to, and used by rough sleepers – is up for sale for nearly half a million pounds

The former Methodist Church in Welford Road Kingsthorpe is on the market with Chown Commercial estate agents for £400,000.

According to a sales advert, the building was used for worship, welfare and community facilities until 2016 and has stood vacant ever since.

The sales advert says the site is in a very visible spot, right on the Welford Road junction. The church currently has permission for community-type uses, but there’s potential to convert it into something new if the right planning permission is granted, according to estate agents, who call it an ‘attractive opportunity’, with the price working out at just under £40 per square foot.

The property sits on a 0.23-acre site and has a total size of around 7,178 square feet, including a first floor of about 1,800 square feet.

Kingsthorpe Parish Council said: “The old former Church and Hall, an iconic building on Welford Road, has become available for purchase.

“This prominent structure has long stood as a symbol of community, however after many years of dereliction, it has unfortunately been subject to break-ins, fires and rough sleepers, so the Methodist Church have decided to sell.

“Let us hope it will not be long before a sale is secured and the Parish Council Planning Committee looks forward to receiving plans for its regeneration and positive impact to the street scene.”