THE LONG-RUNNING saga over a Delph chapel that has been at the centre of planning rows for years goes on after it failed to sell at auction.
The Independent building, at the corner of Delph Lane and Hill End Road, was placed on the market with a guide price of £425,000.
But no-one managed to meet the reserve when it went under the hammer, meaning it is still up for sale with proposed residential accommodation no closer to coming to fruition.
Permission still exists to turn it into either nine small apartments or seven and a three-bedroomed townhouse, as well as build two four-bedroomed properties in its grounds.
Billed by auctioneers Pugh as ‘an ideal purchase for a local builder or developer seeking their next project,’ Delph Independent Chapel has been at the centre of long-running planning issues.
Switzerland-based Dr Paula Rothermel, who used to live in the village, faced local opposition and the loss of funding as she hoped to revive the landmark.
She previously told Saddleworth Independent: “I have been trying, mainly since 2007, to get the place renovated but it has been an uphill struggle.
“I am trying to make the chapel a nice place to look at and have a village graveyard that is something to be proud of. I have never had any plans to dig up any graves.
“If I’d had support from the community for what I was doing it would have been done completed by now and people would be living in there.
“I am a very community minded person and there is nothing to stop anyone building houses over that graveyard. The one thing that does is I retain it.
“I lived in Delph for 12 years. My husband and I planned to have one of the apartments.
“Not once as anyone said it is a nice thing what you want to do.”
Pugh director Edward Feather said: “Saddleworth is a stunning area that is highly sought after as a place to live with easy rail commutes to both Manchester and Leeds.
“The old chapel is in a fantastic location, a short walk from the village centre and primary school and needless to say we have had significant interest in the site as a development opportunity.
“The saga of the chapel’s redevelopment to residential accommodation has dragged on over decades and it would be great to see this historic building finally take on a new lease of life in the hands of an owner who can ensure it becomes an asset to the village once more.”
