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Historic Barn Faces Demolition; Community Fights Back
31 Mar
Summary
- A 16th-century barn in Hertfordshire is threatened with conversion into housing.
- Campaigners have two months to bid for the historic building.
- The group aims to transform the barn into an arts and wellbeing community hub.
A community campaign is underway to save a 16th-century Grade II listed barn, believed to be one of the oldest buildings in Boxmoor, Hertfordshire. Heath Barn, which has previously been used as a farm, theatre, and musical school, is slated for conversion into private housing.
The council, which owns the building, has granted the campaign group Our Heath Barn a two-month window to formulate a bid and organize fundraising efforts. This presents a critical opportunity for the group to prevent the demolition or sale of the historic site.
Our Heath Barn, established as a community interest company, plans to repurpose the barn into a creative community hub and cafe. Their vision emphasizes representing the arts and fostering wellbeing, addressing a perceived lack of community spaces in the area.
Supporters have shared nostalgic memories of the barn, fueling the group's determination to secure its future. The campaign aims to ensure the building's long-term viability, potentially through community ownership, for generations to come.
The barn will be placed on the open market from April 11, with a final decision on its fate expected in June. The council is obligated to seek the best consideration for the disposal of this surplus asset.
