An elderly man was arrested after telling developers to 'get off my property', claiming that he owns a former community centre set to be turned into flats.
Felix Daniels, one of the original trustees of the Nello James Centre in Whalley Range, was removed by police from the property during a consultation event. The 74-year-old, who recently suffered a stroke, demanded the developer leaves the property - which he says he still has the deeds for - during the five-hour event on Saturday (May 21) and tried to remove posters from the site.
It came as Mancunian property developer Views shared its plans to turn the derelict building in Withington Road into 35 new apartments with the public. However, members of the community have questioned how the building which was bought by a trust using funds donated by actress Vanessa Redgrave in 1971 and was used for decades was sold to the developer in the first place.
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The Walton Cottage Education Trust, which sold the property in January 2020 for £850,000, says it will have a new premises in Old Trafford by September. But trustees have refused to answer any questions about the new premises or the trust's finances over the last decade while the centre has been closed.
Now people are asking the trustees to come forward and explain what has happened so they can be satisfied that the building was sold legitimately.
Originally a private family home built in 1887 and called Walton Cottage, the British Red Cross used the building as an auxiliary hospital from 1914 to 1916. It is understood the British Red Cross owned the building until 1971 when the Walton Cottage Education Trust purchased it, with funds from Dame Vanessa.
The building was named the Nello James Centre after C.L.R. James, a West Indian born cultural historian, cricket writer and political activist and a leading figure in the Pan-African movement and housed the Neil Pearson Day Nursery. It was also the home of Walton Housing, youth groups and a Saturday school.
Members of the community claim the donation was made on the condition that the building is used for the community and not sold for other purposes. However, the developer says there are no such restrictions on the property.
The centre closed approximately 10 years ago and soon fell into disrepair, attracting anti-social behaviour, according to neighbours who live nearby. In 2015, a campaign to save the centre was launched and members of the community tried to purchase the property, but the bid was not successful.
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Senior development manager Patrick Sheridan said Views is 'open to working with the community' to see if there is any way to provide facilities on the site. He said: "We are mindful that when 136 Withington Road was the Nello James Centre it provided a fantastic service for the community and it remains a source of inspiration and many memories for the people who used it.
"While our proposals for the site are for new, much needed new homes, we are investigating ways in which we can create a lasting tribute to the centre and we are very much open to ideas."
In a letter to the developer, the trust revealed that it has a new premises in Stretford Road, but said the site will not be up and running until September. According to the land registry, this property has not changed ownership since 2006, but members of the community have heard the trust plans to lease it. The Walton Cottage Education Trust was contacted for comment, but declined.
When asked about the arrest of Mr Daniels, Greater Manchester Police said the incident was recorded on the system as a civil dispute and not a crime. The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands Mr Daniels was taken to Swinton Police Station where he was questioned before he was taken home.
The force failed to provide any further information despite repeated requests.
