Downderry, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom, villagers lose bid to buy former Methodist chapel

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

The building has not been used for worship for more than a decade. Locals had transformed it into a community hub called The Zone, where 16 groups offered a variety of activities. The community raised £200,000 to buy the building, but its owners said they wanted to sell it on the open market for the highest price.

The Methodist Circuit said that 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.” It added that “this means obtaining the best terms and best price when disposing of charity property.”

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

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

Michelle Davies, who also sits on the committee, described the situation as “devastating.” She said the building was “such a vital part of our village for all ages, from birth all the way up through,” and that losing it would “make the village very lonely.”

Villager Sue Dobinson, a member of many groups at the Zone including pilates, yoga and the Women’s Institute, said the situation “doesn’t make sense.” 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.”

Barrister Hugo deRijke said Zone supporters were hoping to meet the chapel trustees again. He said the trustees “were singing the praises of The Zone not so long ago” before what he called a “very odd” U-turn. “They have not explained their sudden change of heart and mind about this,” he said. He added that he had been looking into the due process and “whether the Methodist Church has acted in good faith, which is one of its policies,” and that fairness requires hearing all sides before a decision is made (Proverbs 18:17).

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