PEOPLE living in Flushing are being urged to join a campaign to try to buy the former Methodist chapel for 'primary housing' before it is sold to the highest bidder.
The former Methodist chapel in Kersey Road was the subject of a planning battle last year which eventually went to appeal which was dismissed.
The Methodist Church had wanted to convert the former church into three dwellings but it was refused.
Now the church has put chapel up for sale by auction in December through Lodge and Thomas with fears it would be sold to a developer.
With the actual auction taking place on December 2, it only leaves well under a month for funds to be found to buy it for the community.
Kersey Road resident Vincent Roberts has joined forces with Community Land Trust Ambos in a bid to buy the site.
He wants to see it converted into homes for full time occupation either rented or owned, rather than having the possibility of them becoming Air BnBs.
"We want to see the right sort housing there, affordable and primary housing," he said. "We don't want to see Airbnb's going in there and we want to make sure there is car parking. We want to keep the village as a nice place to live."
He said he was pleased with how much support he has had so far, but because of his lack of experiences or time he had approached local CLT Ambos to help work on the campaign.
"Ambos is experienced in this type of social enterprise, with a strong board of trustees and existing access to funding," he said. "Based on this we think it represents the best way forward for this site, and the village."
He added: "Because of the very short period we have to act, I am personally going to help Ambos to try to secure the site.
"Then, working with them and the local community develop the best way forward in the interests of the village. I hope that many of you will join me and support us."
He says in order to do this, Ambos would need the full support of the community.
Miguel Fernandez one of Ambos trustees says that it only operates where local people join the CLT to support its aims and objectives.
"The concept is that our funders investment is matched with that from a community group wanting to develop their local asset," he said.
"It shows us that there is a community engaging with the project and is part of the decision-making process, which is what I believe we have just started to establish."
He says in order to do this, it would need people to become members and perhaps donate to support the CLT. They can do this by emailing info@prdp.co.uk
He says the company has written to the Methodist Church asking for more time to prepare a viability study and secure funding for the auction.
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"If Ambos is successful in securing the site for the community, we will all have the opportunity to be involved in this exciting venture, possibly by way of an investment loan offer which would provide a small return on larger investments related to this specific project," said Mr Roberts.
You can find updates about the campaign on the Facebook Page - facebook.com/flushingmethodistchurch
Due to declining congregation sizes the chapel was closed during its 200th anniversary year in 2016 and has remained empty ever since.
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