EVERYWHERE you go in York these days, there seems to be a new block of luxury flats, more student accommodation, or another another scaled-down local supermarket springing up.

We’re not against development. But it has been disheartening to see so many much-loved community buildings – often pubs, but also buildings like the Groves Chapel in Clarence Street – being bought for conversion into yet more flats or supermarkets.

When news broke that the Salvation Army was planning to sell its historic headquarters in Gillygate, there were naturally fears that this Victorian building would go the same way.

Thankfully, that has not been the case.

Agents Barry Crux and Co have confirmed there was a 'lot of interest' in the building.

But to the relief of many, it has been bought by another church - the York City Church - and will continue to be used as a place of worship.

The York City Church's senior pastor Alan Rose says church members donated almost a quarter of a million pounds towards the cost of the building.

"We're overwhelmed," he told The Press. "It is humbling."

It is also a wonderful demonstration of people power, showing what can be achieved by ordinary people when they care about something enough.

The best news of all is that, as we have reported before, despite moving out of the building, the Salvation Army will be continuing its good work in York.

Its homelessness intervention project will continue to operate a housing advice and drop-in service from the Central Methodist Church in St Saviourgate, while its pre-school playgroup is now based at St Thomas with St Maurice church hall in Lowther Street.

So it seems that in this case, everyone has been a winner.