Historic Hemel landmark divided into five separate plots and marketed to developers
We at Hemel Conservatives are furious to discover that the Liberal Democrat-led Dacorum Borough Council has put The Bury and its surrounding land up for sale. This comes despite our Conservative Councillor Neil Harden working with residents to explore viable, long-term solutions for this important historic site.
The Grade II* listed Georgian building, which dates from around 1790, has appeared on the commercial property market. The official sale particulars published by Brasier Freeth confirm that Dacorum Borough Council is openly marketing the property for sale.
Most concerningly, the Council has divided The Bury and its adjoining land into five separate plots, which can be purchased either together or individually.
The sales brochure openly promotes the site to “purchasers, developers and occupiers” and describes it as offering potential for alternative uses, subject to planning and listed-building consent. Offers will be invited through an informal tender or “best bids” process, with the price available only on application.
The five plots include:
- Land beside the Queensway car park access road;
- Open green space fronting Queensway;
- Bury Lodge;
- Council-owned garages, stores and surrounding land; and
- The Bury itself, together with the largest area of adjoining land.
Breaking this historic site into five separate saleable parcels appears designed to maximise its commercial and development value. It inevitably raises serious concerns about the prospect of further residential development around The Bury, rather than preserving the integrity of the site and finding a solution shaped by the community.
This is precisely why Councillor Neil Harden launched the “What’s Next for The Bury? Have Your Say” campaign.
Neil has been working with residents to consider practical and financially sustainable options capable of returning The Bury to active use. His campaign called on Dacorum Borough Council to publish a clear and transparent plan and invited residents to express their priorities for the site.
Councillor Neil Harden said:
“The Bury is an important part of Hemel’s history and identity. For generations of local families, it is associated with weddings, celebrations and some of their most treasured memories.
“I have been working with residents to consider viable, long-term solutions that could preserve The Bury while bringing it back into meaningful use. We are therefore furious to discover that the Liberal Democrat-led Borough Council has ignored these suggestions and simply placed the site on the open market.
“The decision to divide The Bury and its adjoining land into five individual plots is particularly alarming. It looks like an attempt to maximise the site’s attractiveness to developers, with the clear risk of yet more residential development in the heart of Hemel Hempstead.
“Residents deserved openness, consultation and the opportunity to help shape the future of this historic landmark. Instead, they have been presented with a commercial property advert and a best-bids process.
“The Liberal Democrats must now explain why residents’ ideas have apparently been ignored, what protections will be placed on the site and whether they are prepared to see these plots sold separately for development.”
Former Hemel Hempstead MP Sir Mike Penning said:
“Just two years ago, I was using The Bury as the hub of my constituency office. It was an active and important building serving people from across Hemel Hempstead. Since then, the Liberal Democrat Council has allowed it to fall into an increasingly poor state.
“The Bury is a key site in the history of our town. It belongs at the heart of Hemel Hempstead’s civic and community life—not carved into separate plots and sold off to developers.
“Selling this historic site without exhausting every credible option to preserve it and return it to meaningful use would represent a dereliction of duty by the Liberal Democrat-led Council.”
The Bury occupies a prominent position beside Gadebridge Park and Hemel Hempstead Old Town. It previously served as a registry office and civic building but has now been vacant, boarded up and inaccessible for several years.
We believe such an important part of our town’s heritage should not be disposed of without genuine public scrutiny. Any proposals must protect the Grade II* listed building, respect its historic setting and reflect the views and aspirations of local residents.
The Liberal Democrat administration must pause the sale, publish the full reasoning behind its decision and explain why the community-led search for a viable future for The Bury has been disregarded.
The future of The Bury should be shaped with the people of Hemel Hempstead, not decided behind closed doors and handed to the highest bidder.
