A landmark church faces being dismantled, moved and rebuilt to raise vital funds for its upkeep.

Annual maintenance costs of several thousands of pounds have forced church officials to propose moving the Grade II-listed St James's Church in Baildon.

The plan, submitted to Shipley town hall by Canon John Nowell, involves re-siting the distinctive white building - one of the district's last surviving wooden churches - and selling off the spare land to a developer for housing.

The scheme also includes an extension which would house a meeting room, toilets and a kitchen in answer to villagers' calls for more community activities at the church. And 18 parking spaces would be created.

In 1999 the Telegraph & Argus reported how officials feared the church, off Otley Road, would have to close unless additional funding could be found.

Church warden and Baildon Parochial Church Council member Joan Edbury said the plan would ensure the church's long-term survival.

"The new hall will benefit the community as we will be able to hold more classes," she said.

If the scheme is approved, the church will be on its new site by the end of next year.

An outline application for nine houses on the freed-up land has also been submitted.

Architect Mike Overton, of Skipton-based Wales, Wales and Rawson, said it was a unique plan.

"It's an exciting project and moving the building closer to Kirklands Lane will put it in a more prominent position," he said.

"I've never worked on a church like this, or a plan like this, and I'm confident it will be a success."

He said he did not know how much the scheme would cost but said it would involve dismantling the pre-fabricated building piece by piece and possibly repairing some timbers.

The church was created in 1904 in Essex and put together on the present site.

Written representations can be sent to the planning office at Shipley town hall by June 2.