A PETITION has been launched to 'save' a former Methodist Chapel from development.

The Ebenezer Methodist Chapel, in West Wylam, Prudhoe, has been marketed for sale by Foster Maddison.

The building is billed as a 'development opportunity' - subject to planning and lifting of covenants.

A covenant on the building states: " to not use the said premises or any part thereof or any building, structure or works at any time erected, constructed or placed thereon or permit the same to be used for any purpose other than as a Chapel or Church" but The Coal Authority could lift the covenant.

Locals are opposed to the sale, with Prudhoe Town Councillor Russ Greig heading a petition - which has, so far, attracted over 100 signatories.

He said: "The Ebenezer has been at the heart of our community since 1874 until 2015 when services stopped. It is one of the few remaining buildings of the old colliery village of West Wylam and is one of the most recognisable buildings as you enter Prudhoe. We can not allow one of Prudhoe's historic buildings to be lost forever.

"Please help us send a clear message to The Methodist Church to say that our community don't want The Ebenezer sold to a nameless property developer or investor simply for it to be demolished and lost forever to our community."

He added: "It's a well-loved building in the community and it would be a sad loss - even if it's not used for the community for the future. Our communities have so many challenges ahead with recovering from the pandemic and the social and economic impact, that community groups are going to have to step up and support their communities.

"It is the last Methodist Chapel in Prudhoe - there was about five or six across Prudhoe. If you consider Methodist Church must have 1,000s of Chapels to dispose of, a small Chapel that they're asking for offers of £25k is a drop in the ocean and completely insignificant to them, but it's priceless to its community and the future of the community."

Councillor Gordon Stewart added: "This is a beautiful building sitting in the heart of the community with a great history attached to it.

"I have been in discussions with interested parties for some time now and I am keen to hear from the community what they would like seen done with the chapel."

The closing date for offers is March 11.

Superintendent minister of the Tynedale Methodist Circuit Paul Dunstan said that Ebenezer was not the last Chapel in Prudhoe - The Prudhoe Methodist Church - and that Methodist Church had to put all resources to good use.

www.change.org/p/the-methodist-church-save-ebenezer-chapel-from-development