A HISTORIC Droylsden community is celebrating a reprieve after launching its campaign to stop the sale of homes and coveted green space.
It follows a unanimous vote of no confidence in Moravian church elders for their decision to auction off Grade II listed houses in Fairfield Square and three acres of the community’s precious green ‘lung’.
Some of the leafy site has been the base for more than 60 years of the 413th Manchester (Fairfield Moravian) scout group.
But only days before viewings were due to take place prior to the auctioning of numbers 41 and 47 on July 27, residents discovered the centuries old houses wouldn’t be going under the hammer.
A third house, number 21, due to be sold on the open market, was also withdrawn.
And relieved scout leaders received word the sale of the land, a substantial parcel designated an asset of community value by Tameside Council in 2018, will be shelved until at least September for further discussion.
There had been community disquiet about poor communication from the Moravian Union’s Board of Trustees prior to initial discovery about the sell-offs.
Even now there has been no official reason given for the 11th hour U-turn from the six Trustees, who include Fairfield old boys, Reverends David Howarth and Michael Newman. A third, Reverend Peter Gubi, is minister at Dukinfield Moravian Church.
The Correspondent, who attended a packed public meeting last month when the vote of no confidence was passed, approached Trustees for a comment. But they hadn’t replied before this edition went to press.
However, it is believed the prospective sales were discussed at the Moravian Church’s Synod in Derbyshire last month (July).
The Provincial Elders’ Board has now agreed to meet with the scouts and other stakeholders as well as separately with a small groups of residents and church committee members.
Since their meeting, residents reached out to Angela Rayner, MP for Ashton-under-Lyne whose constituency includes part of Droylsden.
Ms Rayner, Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition, visited the Square to see for herself the woodland area under threat.
The land borders Fairfield Road, the Ashton Canal, Broadway North and Northway.
Under-fire Moravian leaders have been insistent a new base for the scouts, cubs and beavers will be found on the woodland area adjacent to Love Lane footpath which has changed little since the first settlers moved in 237 years ago.
The designated conservation area supports a thriving bat colony, other abundant wildlife and is also home to English bluebells, protected by legislation. Nearly 20 Tree Protection Orders are also in place.
The two auction properties had a combined starting price of £340,000. It is understood two houses have been empty for a total of approximately 18 years and a third vacant since 2018. All three require substantial renovation at an estimated cost of around £750,000.
Last year, the Board controversially gave the green light to dispose of another Moravian asset, Ockbrook School in Derbyshire, founded in 1799.
Only five weeks’ notice of closure was given leaving a parents’ group insufficient time to consider raising funds to buy the school.
Square residents have previously raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to save and renovate the settlement’s Moravian Theological College.
Hundreds of people signed a petition objecting to the sell-off and posters opposing the disposal went up round the Square previously used as a filming location for Peaky Blinders, Sherlock Holmes and a BBC day time drama, Brinkburn Street.
In 2014, scenes for a Manchester United kit promotion were also shot in the Square often described as a ‘hidden gem’.
At the public meeting scout leader Harry Fincham said: “Shouldn’t we be developing the land for the wider community in terms of keeping it green for the likes of Men in Sheds, Forest Schools rather than settling for 70 percent housing and 30 percent bits of greenery?
“They are pushing this through and disregarding everything that is being said. There is no guarantee we can buy it but we have got to be given the opportunity to put a price forward.”
The Scouts say the land welcomes children and local community groups from across Greater Manchester and is also used as a sports day venue for schools which no longer have their own grounds.
In a statement issued prior to the intended sales, trustees described it as a “difficult decision.to sell three empty houses in the Fairfield settlement.
“For historical reasons, these properties require significant renovations that can only be achieved by external investment following a sale.
“Houses have been sold for similar reasons in the past at our other settlements.
“As part of a review of land owned by Moravian Union, a plot of land to the east of the settlement is to be sold. Part of this land contains several empty garages and is subject to regular fly tipping and other misuse.
“The conditions of the sale will mean a continued home for the Scout Group and the conserving of the Love Lane footpath and adjacent woodland.
“The income from the property owned by the Moravian Union, which also includes settlements in Derbyshire, West Yorkshire and County Antrim supports the work of the Moravian Church in Britain and Ireland including the congregations at Fairfield, Dukinfield and Royton.
• Fairfield church goers are saying their farewells to Philip Cooper, leaving after eight years’ service as minister.