A BUYER has come forward offering to keep two controversial cottages bequeathed to the church as affordable housing for young people in Dulverton.

At the heart of the matter are three cottages in Church Lane bequeathed to All Saints Church by Dulverton resident Joyce Burton. She lived in one of the cottages while renting out the other two.

The tenantsof one recently moved out and the property is now up for sale at £182,500.

The potential buyer has come forward amid a flurry of activity including growing numbers for a petition to the local church, offers of free management of the cottages on the church’s behalf, and a letter from the Archdeacon of Taunton posted around the town.

A number of townspeople were deeply upset by All Saints Parochial Church Council’s (PCC) decision to put one of the rented cottages on the market and to sell the second cottage once the tenants have moved.

Mrs Burton bequeathed the three properties with a verbal agreement that they would be used as affordable housing for young people in the town.

An online petition has now grown to 244, with a paper petition of over 100, asking the rector and PCC to reconsider the sales and change of use.

The renovations were steered by All Saints Church management committee, and this week its former treasurer and chairman Ivan Gunn said he has offered to buy the cottages and honour Mrs Burton’s wishes once he and his wife, Wendy, have sold their own home and downsized to another house.