Villagers lose out as church seeks highest bidder

Villagers in Downderry clubbed together to save their community centre, The Zone

Villagers in Downderry in Cornwall have had a bid to buy a chapel for community use rejected and face having to vacate the premises.

The building has not been used for worship for more than a decade and locals had transformed it into a hub, The Zone, with 16 groups offering a variety of activities.

The community raised £200,000 to buy it but its owners said they wanted to sell it on the open market for the highest price.

The Methodist Circuit said: "The local trustees are charity trustees and are under a legal obligation to act in accordance with charity law and the constitution of the Methodist Church... this means obtaining the best terms and best price when disposing of charity property."

Adrian Kemp, the chair of the steering group at The Zone said it was very sad

Adrian Kemp, chairman of the Zone Steering Group, said meetings with the Methodist circuit and community members were "very congenial" for two years until "something changed" in April, which "came as quite a surprise".

He said: "However, we believe somebody is advising them it is worth a lot more potentially for a building site rather than community use, which is what the planning permission is for at the moment."

The Methodist Circuit served notices to quit by 12 August.

Some groups had been offered space at St Nicolas Church, others the village hall; but time slots were difficult and some groups had wound up, community leaders said.

"It's devastating," said Michelle Davies, who is also on the committee.

"It's such a vital part of our village for all ages, from birth all the way up through; so not having that place to come and meet people and be sociable it will make the village very lonely."

Villager Sue Dobinson says the situation "doesn't make sense"

Sue Dobinson was a member of many groups at the Zone, including pilates, yoga and the Women's Institute.

She said: "Hundreds of people use this building. If it goes on the open market to the highest bidder, maybe one family will be able to use it.

"It doesn't make sense. It's so sad."

Barrister Hugo deRijke said Zone supporters were hoping to meet chapel trustees again.

He said the trustees "were singing the praises of The Zone not so long ago" before the "very odd" U-turn.

He said: "They have not explained their sudden change of heart and mind about this.

"I've been looking into the due process and whether the Methodist Church has acted in good faith, which is one of its policies.".

The Reverend Jonathan Budd, superintendent of South East Cornwall Methodist Circuit said the decision to sell was "a difficult one and is only made by the local trustees as a last resort when there is no continuing Methodist purpose continuing at the premises".

"Whilst we understand the local frustrations, as charity trustees, the local trustees are acting within the law and in accordance with legal obligations placed upon them," he said.