Published on Tue Aug 09 07:20:20 BST 2011
TWO houses bequeathed to the parish of New Buckenham more than half a millennium ago are under threat of being sold off, leaving the tenants in a battle to remain living in the village.
The listed buildings in Marsh Lane have belonged to the parish since about 1605, but after New Buckenham Parish Council had them valued at £100,000 each recently, one tenant is bracing himself for a potential sale – and the battle to find a new home to rent in the village if a sell-off happens. At the time of writing, only one property was available to let in New Buckenham.
Parish council clerk Marion Cook could not deny that the homes may be sold off, saying that a working group of three councillors and the tenants is currently “looking into the future” of the properties and will report its findings in December.
However, she also said that the council would not consider making arrangements which were detrimental to the tenants, and promised that they will consult the village as a whole before taking a decision.
John Farnell, who lives at number one, said: “The council earns about £5,000 in rent a year from the houses, so why they want to sell them off for a short-term gain defies logic – they don’t need the money.
“I’ve lived here for 25 years, and I’ve got at least 20 years to live and no reason to move – it’s criminal wanting to sell them.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to in the village doesn’t want them to go, and if some kind of referendum can’t be held, I’ll canvas every house in New Buckenham myself.”
Mr Farnell believes that if the sale decision is taken, the houses would be offered to him and next-door tenant Naz Richmond-Shaw at a slightly reduced rate.
But he believes that New Buckenham Parish Council doesn’t have the right to sell the properties, which were rebuilt in 1861, hence their more modern look.
“They were given to the village by a generous benefactor, and they’re not almshouses – that’s what makes them unique,” Mr Farnell said.
“Money from the sale of property can’t be flushed away on anything that isn’t like for like, and the parish council has suggested that it will buy a single property instead.”
Parish council chairman Karen Hobley categorically denied that claim.
And when asked why a working group to look at the properties has been formed, she said that it is was “what we decided to do.”