A PETITION of more than 10,000 signatures is to be presented next week to try to stop developers getting their hands on a community home.

The Disability Times Trust (DTT) is spearheading the campaign led by Theresa Moore MBE to try and keep Amherst Lodge, in Amherst Road, Ealing, within the community.

Ealing Council has put the property up for public auction on July 24.

The DTT had previously offered Ealing Council £1.5m to buy Amherst Lodge but they turned the offer down and instead opted to sell the site in a public auction opening the bidding to developers with more money.

Mrs Moore has been working tirelessly to raise the money and to get the council to hold off the auction.

She said: "There are a lot of strong feelings about Amherst Lodge. It was given to the community and people of Ealing and it should stay with them. I am appalled with Ealing Council's decision to sell it at a public auction, they've got plenty of buildings already."

As well as the petition, the DTT have started a Buy-A-Brick campaign to raise funds to try and bid for Amherst Lodge and so far have raised £4,500 for the appeal.

A spokesman for Ealing Council said: "The council is obliged to obtain the best consideration in all property transactions. Holding an auction will ensure maximum market exposure and highest price in an open arena to satisfy audit requirements. The auction is open and everyone who has an interest, including DTT is welcome to attend. The council will proceed with the auction irrespective of any pre-auction bids and DTT are invited to make a bid then."

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Amherst Appeal can send a cheque or postal order to: Buy-A-Brick Amherst Appeal, c/o Disability Times Trust, 5th Floor, 58 Uxbridge Road, Ealing, London, W5 2ST. Registered Charity No.1052955

July 11, 2002 10:00