Street Lane, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17

A unique opportunity to create an impressive home within a handsome Victorian chapel in the heart of a historic Sussex village.

Description

Old Congregational Chapel presents a rare and exciting opportunity to transform a striking late Victorian chapel into a unique and characterful home. Planning permission and change of use have already been granted for its conversion into a single residential property.

Located in the heart of the picturesque village of Ardingly, within a designated Conservation Area, the chapel has a rich history. The church was originally established in 1822, and the current building dates from 1882, standing on the site of an earlier structure. Over the years, it has been extended and renovated, with additions made in the 1910s and 1954. More recent improvements in 2012 include the installation of insulation, new flooring, heating (including underfloor heating in the main hall), and the careful restoration of stained glass windows, which were reinstalled as double-glazed units within modern frames. The church officially closed in 2010.

Architecturally, the building retains many features typical of the late Victorian Gothic Revival style. These include a gabled tiled roof with carved stonework, the original brick and timber porch with Gothic arched doorway, decorative stained glass windows, and ornate details such as multicoloured brickwork, terracotta panels, and brick buttresses.

The approved plans for conversion have been thoughtfully designed to preserve the building’s integrity and historic character while creating a stunning and functional home. The vaulted main hall will become an impressive open-plan reception space with a mezzanine floor, while the adjoining meeting rooms and WCs will be reconfigured to form a spacious kitchen and breakfast room with French doors opening on to a partially walled garden. The plans also include three bedrooms (bedroom one with an en suite shower room and dressing room) and a family bathroom.

Externally, the property benefits from a charming part-walled garden with a brick-built cycle store, and a dedicated parking space to the west of the building.

Planning permission
Planning permission was granted on 10 April 2025 for 'Change of use and conversion of former Congregational Church building to provide a single dwellinghouse with associated secure cycle storage provision, vehicle parking, bin storage and private amenity space.'
Mid Sussex District Council, ref: DM/24/2317

Location

Situated in the centre of Ardingly village, a popular and thriving village with an active community, situated in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Ardingly offers a good range of local amenities including a village shop, a primary school, bakery, takeaway, public houses and the South of England Showground, which hosts a number of events throughout the year including the annual South of England country show.

Comprehensive shopping and leisure facilities are at Haywards Heath (3.5 miles), Crawley (12 miles), and Brighton (17 miles).

Sussex offers a superb range of sporting and leisure opportunities with golf at Royal Ashdown, Haywards Heath and Lindfield, and many other courses across the county. There is racing at Goodwood, Lingfield and Plumpton, and sailing at Ardingly Reservoir and the coast. There are many bridle paths across the surrounding countryside and the South Downs, as well as riding on Ashdown Forest by permit.

Spa and country house hotels include Alexander House, Ashdown Park, Gravetye Manor and Ockenden Manor. The City of Brighton and Hove offer theatres, cinemas, shopping and restaurants, and there is the world renowned Opera House at Glyndebourne.

Mainline Rail Service: Haywards Heath offers regular services to London Bridge/Victoria/St. Pancras International, journey time from 42 minutes, as well as connections to Brighton, Lewes and the coast.

The A/M23 provides access to the south coast and connections to Gatwick airport, the M25 and national motorway network.

There is an excellent range of highly-regarded schools in the area, including St Peter’s CEP School, Oathall Community College, Ardingly College, Cumnor House, Great Walstead, Hurstpierpoint College, Brighton College, Burgess Hill Girls and Lewes Old Grammar School.

All distances and journey times are approximate.

Square Footage: 1,873 sq ft



Additional Info

Architect: HNW Architects, Brighton & Hove Studio

Services: Electric underfloor heating in main hall, plus radiators. Mains electricity, water and drainage.
Broadband: FTTC available.

Outgoings: Mid Sussex District Council. Tax band TBC.

Photographs taken: April 2025.

EPC rating D (commercial).