London Colney Pastoral Centre: sale underway

All Saints, London Colney

All Saints Pastoral Centre in London Colney, Hertfordshire is being sold to a property developer, in spite of appeals to keep it open, the Herts Advertiser reports. In a statement, the Diocese of Westminster confirmed that it has received a "satisfactory offer" for the sale and that Trustees of the Diocese of Westminster "have now given permission for its agents to conclude the sale to the preferred bidder and to ensure that this complies fully with Charity Law concerning the sale of property."

The Diocese said: "In January 2011, the Diocese of Westminster announced the closure of All Saints Pastoral Centre. An earlier review concluded that the costs of upgrading the centre facilities would not have represented a prudent use of diocesan resources."

"In what is a challenging economic climate, the sale of All Saints Pastoral Centre will help this Diocese make better use of its resources. It will allow us to invest in expanding our ministry to young people."

The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster added: “I want to thank and pay tribute to all who have worked at the All Saints Pastoral Centre over its 37 year history. Valiant efforts were made to get the Centre established and to sustain it over these years. Many thousands of people have benefitted from time spent there, finding encouragement, companionship, new understanding and deeper prayer. Thank you all very much.:

All Saints was built by leading Victorian architect Leonard Stokes in 1901 as a convent for the All Saints Sisters. It was acquired by the Diocese of Westminster in 1973.

Set in 60 acres of land, it is built round a quadrangle garden with an inner cloister and offered meeting rooms, lecture theatre, and other facilities for retreats and conferences. In the grounds, there is a wood in which lies the moated site of a medieval chantry chapel said to be the place where St Alban was arrested prior to his execution.

Describing the sale as “a great disappointment to all concerned", Peter Baker, from campaign group Save All Saints (SAS) told the Herts Advertiser that members had received a letter before Christmas outlining the sale to an unnamed developer who had been the highest bidder for the multi-million-pound property.

He said SAS would continue fighting the diocese’s decision to sell as it is still subject to contract agreement.

In November, Mr Baker wrote to Bishop John Arnold on behalf of the SAS proposing various options of raising money through covenants and fundraising activities.

However, the Advertiser reports that the Diocese received several expressions of interest for the purchase of the centre, offered for sale as a whole or in up to five lots. Publicity information distributed by estate agent Smiths Gore said the property would be of interest to a wide range of potential buyers because of its proximity to London.

Herts County Councillor for The Colneys, Chris Brazier, said: “The diocese has not entered into negotiations with local people, and has gone for the highest price.”

He said future development of the site could be difficult, as it provides a green buffer between village and neighbouring Radlett and Shenley. He added that residents fear a major development would present problems for the community as the nearby Harperbury hospital has already been earmarked by St Albans district council as a potential site for hundreds of future homes.

Fellow All Saints supporter, Brian Plunkett, said he hoped the diocese would reconsider the sale given that, “passions are running high in London Colney”.

He added: “It would be wonderful to find a chink in the sale. The ink is not dry yet.”

Save All Saints campaigners have set up an e-petition at: www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveallsaints/

Source: Diocese of Westminster/Herts Advertiser/SAS