Knowle Top Chapel: Sheffield Methodists explain decision to sell to highest bidder, not community

Sheffield Methodists have defended their decision to sell a former chapel to the highest bidder, rather than residents planning to make it a community asset.
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The residents’ group Action for Knowle Top (AKT) had put in a bid of £320,000 for the historic Knowle Top Chapel, on Stannington Road, Stannington, after raising the money following a campaign across the village.

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But they were told this week that their bid had been rejected because a bigger offer had been made. No details are known of the bid which was accepted instead of the community campaigners.

Sheffield Methodists have defenced their decision to sell Knowle Top Chapel to the highest bidder rather than a community group who wanted to make a community building, owned by the community. Picture shows a community group using the building.Sheffield Methodists have defenced their decision to sell Knowle Top Chapel to the highest bidder rather than a community group who wanted to make a community building, owned by the community. Picture shows a community group using the building.
Sheffield Methodists have defenced their decision to sell Knowle Top Chapel to the highest bidder rather than a community group who wanted to make a community building, owned by the community. Picture shows a community group using the building.
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AKT had hoped to allow groups which have been using the site for decades to continue to do so. Now groups are expected to be forced to leave.

A spokesperson for the Sheffield Methodist Circuit, said: “We understand the strong feeling within the community.

“However we are bound by Charity Commission Law and the Methodist Church’s constitution to get the best price when selling a building. A community asset was registered for six months by the council before the property was placed for sale on the open market.

“Following a number of bids being received the Trustees engaged with and sought professional advice from a surveyor to act on their behalf to ensure that correct procedures as stated by the Charity Commission were followed.

Knowle Top Chapel. A residents' bid to buy the site and keep it as a community building has been rejected.Knowle Top Chapel. A residents' bid to buy the site and keep it as a community building has been rejected.
Knowle Top Chapel. A residents' bid to buy the site and keep it as a community building has been rejected.
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“The Methodist Church is a Connexional Church, and maximising profits from the sale will support the wider work of the Methodist Church and its mission. Obtaining best price will help the Managing Trustees to make a positive and sustainable contribution to the life and growth of the wider Church in the community.”

Stannington landmark since 1879

The statement added that groups who currently use the building had been granted an extra two weeks on top of the agreed notice period, rent free, to enable them to find a new location for their equipment and their future gatherings.

Residents who have campaigned to keep the building as a community facility say the chapel has been a striking and much-loved landmark in Stannington since 1879.

Over the years, it has been ‘well used’ by a range of local groups for concerts, rehearsal space, coffee mornings and local drama groups.

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