Archbishop ‘ unable to intervene’ in church school sale
THE ARCHBISHOP of Canterbury has told a charity trust he cannot intervene in the Church of England’s decision to sell a school in a Dales village.
The Upper Dales Community Land Trust contacted the Archbishop after its £ 150,000 bid to buy Arkengarthdale Church of England Primary School, to create three two- bedroom and one one- bedroom home for young families, was rejected.
But in an email seen by The Yorkshire Post, in a response to the trust on his behalf, Lambeth Palace said the Archbishop was unable to intervene in this situation as it is a matter for the parish and the diocese and “outside of his jurisdiction”.
It said: “The Archbishop is indeed concerned about the availability of suitable and affordable housing and, as you know, has set up his Commission on Housing, Church and Community.
“The Commission will look into various issues around housing and examine how the Church might use its land and resources to contribute in this area. This will include consideration of the current legal duty to maximise profits, amongst other relevant matters.”
The response concluded: “Unfortunately, the Archbishop is unable to intervene in this situation, as this is a matter for the parish and the diocese and outside of his jurisdiction. I would urge you to discuss the matter with the parish priest and diocesan bishop, if you have not already done so.”
The Arkengarthdale school, which closed a year ago after pupil numbers fell to just five, was sold on the open market for £ 185,000 for private development, despite a condition attached to the deeds in 1933 that the proceeds of any future sale should be used for ecclesiastical measures in the parish.
The Upper Dales Community Land Trust ( UDCLT) has said it is “morally justified” in its appeal for diocesan officials to reconsider allowing the sale of the former Arkengarthdale C of E Primary School.
At the launch of the Most Rev Justin Welby’s commission last year to examine the housing crisis and communities, it was stated: “We have land and resources that can be used to help meet the need for more affordable housing.”
However the UDCLT has said it is “disappointed” an early test involving the redundant Church of England school premises in the Yorkshire Dales village has resulted in church officials accepting a higher private bid over a not- forprofit charitable land trust.
Stephen Stubbs, chairman of UDCLT, said: “We are morally justified in our case and appealing for diocesan officials to reconsider. We have received offers of support which would allow us to match the offer.”
The school was bought for £ 325 in 1933 from a retired Colonel and a condition attached to the deeds was that the proceeds of any future sale should be used for ecclesiastical measures in the parish.
Parochial Church Council members were told they had no option but to accept the higher bid under charity law. The buyer will face intense local scrutiny and strict planning regulations within a national park.
Mr Stubbs said: “What will the Church spend £ 185,000 on? According to the deeds it has to be spent in the parish. The most pressing need in Arkengarthdale is affordable housing for young families.”
He added: “I remain hopeful that we will find a solution that will provide a blueprint for other communities faced with the daunting challenge of providing affordable housing, rather than being held up as yet another example of a community being undermined by the narrow interests of a few focused on exploiting rather than enhancing the best of what we have to offer.”
A spokeswoman for the Archbishop of Canterbury, said the Commission on Housing, Church and Community commission will report with its recommendations in February 2021.