The North Craven Building Preservation Trust, Charity no. 505438, was established in 1976 and in the past 50 years has rescued and returned to use a dozen buildings in and around Settle. Our flagship building is The Folly, a Grade I-listed 17th century gentleman’s prospect house in the heart of historic Settle. The Trust also cares for the Zion Chapel and Hall (Grade II) built in Upper Settle in 1816, gifted to the Trust in 2018, along with its Manse and Cottage. In 2023, the Trust purchased a derelict Grade II listed merchant’s house on Settle’s Market Place, built sometime before 1787, known as Dr Buck’s House.
Our Charitable Objects
The objects of the Trust are, for the benefit of the North Craven community, for visitors to the area, and for the nation at large, to—
(a) preserve the built heritage in and around North Craven which is of particular beauty or historical, architectural or constructional interest; and
(b) acquire, preserve, document, interpret and make accessible exhibits, objects and collections relating to the social, agricultural, industrial and built environment of North Craven through the provision of a museum service for the purpose of educating and informing the public.
What NCBPT does
Preservation of Built Heritage
The Trust seeks to acquire and preserve buildings important to the heritage of North Craven, particularly if there is no prospect of the building being acquired by a private developer. We raise funds to preserve the properties in our care with a view to using them for our own purposes, leasing them or selling them to release funds, which can then be used to acquire further buildings or maintain The Folly, Dr Buck’s House and Zion Chapel.
Museum of North Craven Life
The Trust owns and manages the Museum of North Craven Life. The Museum’s permanent and temporary exhibition galleries are housed in The Folly, alongside our offices, research area, archives and stores, and our award-winning Folly Coffee House, Museum Café of the Year 2023. The Museum runs a lively public programme, supports lifelong learning and provides opportunities for volunteering.
Advice
The Trust maintains an overview of planning applications that may affect the built heritage of North Craven and will make representation to the local planning authority, as appropriate.