High Littleton Parish Council have accused the North East Somerset and Bath Methodist Circuit of putting money before the community in a decision to reportedly withdraw from an agreement to sell the High Littleton Methodist Church premises to High Littleton Scouts.

When the Church ceased services at High Littleton in 2016, it was agreed to sell the premises to High Littleton Scouts, who undertook to maintain the premises for the use of the community. This agreement secured the future of not just the Scouts, but also that of High Littleton Pre-School, the only pre-school provision in the village. This was confirmed in writing by the North East Somerset and Bath Methodist Circuit.

It is reported that the Methodist Church have now decided that they cannot proceed with the sale and wish to offer the property on the open market for residential development. The Parish Council says that this decision will force the closure of both the Pre-School and the Scouts. It would also mean that a coffee morning for the elderly and lonely in the village and a Ladies’ Group will also have to close, as they will no longer have anywhere to meet.

Leonard Sheen, Chairman of High Littleton Parish Council, said: “The decision by the Methodist Circuit in North East Somerset and Bath is totally unacceptable. Under the terms of the agreement with High Littleton Scouts, they were being paid what the premises were worth as a public facility – what they were worth as a church.

“They have now decided that they wish to enter into the world of property specula- tion, seemingly in order to secure a higher price. They have no concern that their decision will lead to an increase in child poverty in our village, as people are forced to give up work as their childcare will disappear; they have no concern that the education and development of young people as good citizens will end.

“These were, I always understood, central pillars of the Methodist Church, but today they seem to count for nothing – money is more important it seems.

“I call on the Methodist Circuit to sit down with the High Littleton Community to discuss the future of these premises – at the moment, the Methodist Church is silent; they do not reply to letters and other communications, they have no regard to the effect their decision may have on this village. This is simply unacceptable.”

The North East Somerset and Bath Methodist Circuit are due to meet to make a final decision regarding the premises on Wednesday, 4th March, 7 p.m. at Keynsham Methodist Church.

A petition against the potential closure of the High Littleton Methodist Church premises achieved over 700 signatures in under 24 hours and currently stands at just under a thousand signatures. One person signing commented: “This is a valuable resource for the village. We have no dedicated village hall and this space is used for young families and children of the village to meet. It is desperately needed.”

The Journal has approached the North East Somerset and Bath Methodist Circuit for comment.