Batley Cemetery Lodge is set to go under the hammer

Batley Cemetery Lodge, a Grade II listed building placed just inside the cemetery gates, on Cemetery Lane, is to be auctioned-off by Kirklees Council.

The guide price for the 19th century property, which was where the cemetery registrar traditionally lived, is between £75,000 and £100,000 and is likely to attract residential interest.

But Roger Jenkinson, 50, of Timothy Lane, vice-chairman of the Batley Cemetery Support Group, which help to keep the cemetery premises in check, has his doubts about the sale.

He said: “I think it is sad that it is being sold - it has been part of the cemetery since 1866.

“I think it should be there for community use rather than private use,” he added.

Over the years it has been a home to registered Batley charities such as Environmental Concern and the Twin Chapels Centre, which offered older people support and computer training - but they handed the keys over to the council about 18 months ago.

Since then the threat of vandalism to the empty buidling had been a concern, but it is now occupied by temporary tenants.

Mr Jenkinson however, said that he thought the council were simply keen to get rid of the property.

The auction will take place for the 1,526-square-foot property by Walker Singleton on May 15 at Cedar Court Hotel, Ainley Top.