Hope for campaigners fighting for Grade II barn

Campaigners are hoping they could still bring a community arts space to a Grade II listed 16th Century barn.

Heath Barn, believed to be one of the oldest buildings in Boxmoor near Hemel Hempstead, was previously used as a farm, theatre and music school.

The Our Heath Barn group wanted to also host outdoor markets there and convert another part into homes.

Property developer Curwen Group has instead been named as the preferred bidder, with plans to turn it into a nursery. But officers at Hertfordshire County Council agreed to broker an introduction between the company and the campaigners.

Lead campaigner Lisa Timms welcomed the idea of working together.

She suggested even with a nursery, the site may prove large enough that areas could still be available for community use.

"I think it could have the potential to work for both of us," said Timms.

The county council owns the building in St John's Road, and in February, it offered Our Heath Barn the chance to come up with a bid and to organise fundraising.

The group raised around £17,000 in cash from donors and other pledges took the total to £160,000.

According to a council report, Our Heath Barn estimated refurbishment and fit-out costs of the community spaces to be £604,000.

They intended to seek funding from organisations such as the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

Curwen Group was named as the preferred bidder at a meeting of the council's resources and performance cabinet panel on Wednesday.

Officers pointed to its track record in refurbishing historical buildings, the benefit to the community of a nursery and the higher capital receipt for the council.

Hertfordshire County Council praised the efforts of the campaign group.

The Executive member for sustainability, Liberal Democrat Adrian England, said he was pleased the two parties would be introduced.

On its website, Curwen Group says it specialises in developing for and investing in the education and care sectors.

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