North Chingford Methodist Church will be put up for sale after trustees rejected community rental proposals. A previously church-backed homeless shelter plan had faced strong local opposition, reports Marco Marcelline

North Chingford Methodist Church, Credit: David Bishop

A North Chingford church is to be sold on the open market after proposals to let it out for community use were rejected by trustees.

The North Chingford Methodist Church, which shut to worship in 2023, had been reviewing expressions of interest in the space until last month.

Conservative councillors had strongly backed a plan by local group E4 Social which would have seen dance classes, community events, skills training, and pre-school education at the church.

The Tories said at the time of the consultation period: “At a time when North Chingford has a shortage of community space for hire, the opportunity to reopen this site for public use is more important than ever. Restoring this space would meet a genuine need for affordable, flexible venues that serve residents of all ages and backgrounds.”

But, in a statement released to the Echo, trustees said “none” of the proposals that had been submitted to them, had “assured them that sufficient income would be received”.

Under charity law, the Methodist Church is legally obliged to demonstrate that resources are being used to fulfil their stated purposes as effectively as they can.

E4 Social’s idea was rejected as it would have required the premises to be let at a “significantly below market rate” that trustees felt they could not justify.

E4 Social’s proposal was born in the wake of local opposition to an early bid by Forest Churches Emergency Night Shelter (FCENS) to transform the empty church into a homeless shelter.

FCENS has been providing winter shelter and food for homeless people in Waltham Forest for over 15 years, and is currently operating next to the YMCA in Forest Road, Walthamstow.

The plan centered around 14 bedrooms for single adults “with low support needs” at the back of the church, while a drop-in advice hub would have been built in the front. The proposal also included a multi-purpose room for workshops, skills training and community activities.

Despite having the tentative backing of the Methodist Circuit, who own the church, FCENS’ plan was strongly opposed by sections of the local community who feared an increase in antisocial behaviour and open drug use.

FCENS however stated that the risk of antisocial behaviour would be minimal, insisting that their services are not for individuals dealing with alcoholism or drug addiction.

Amid the backlash, FCENS withdrew its bid in September and the Methodist Circuit said it would hear alternative expressions of interest in the site.

The Echo understands that trustees are hopeful that any successful buyer will maintain the site as a community resource, despite having rejecting the prior proposals.

Conservative councillors Mitchell Goldie, Kay Isa, and Kelly Summers issued a joint statement stating: “We remain committed to championing accessible and affordable community spaces in North Chingford, and will continue to work with the Methodist Circuit and any future owners to ensure a sensible and community-focused approach to the development of the site.”

The process to sell the property will begin in the New Year.

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