One of an area’s most treasured buildings, with a Grade II * listing, was put up for sale “in error” a council has said.
A brochure via commercial estate agent Brasier Freeth for The Bury, Hemel Hempstead, said it was being marketed for a buyer to take on either the whole site or one of five separate plots until it was taken down this afternoon (September 8).
This sparked “serious concerns” among residents, with Conservative councillor Neil Harden calling the vacant, council-owned property an “important part of Hemel’s history and identity”.
However, a Dacorum Borough Council spokesperson said: “The Bury is not being sold.
“On the contrary, it is our firm intent that every possible avenue is explored to keep this much-loved building in community/public use.
“No decision has been taken to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of The Bury, and no such proposal is currently before members for consideration. The current exercise is solely intended to test the market, understand potential opportunities and gather evidence to inform future discussions.
“Our instruction to the appointed agent was to seek expressions of interest regarding the future use and sustainability of The Bury. The description of the property as 'for sale' did not reflect those instructions and was published in error.”
Dacorum removed the “incorrect information” as soon as it became aware of the problem and ended its commission with the agent. It will now reconsider its approach.
The spokesperson described the listing as “simply a human error” and insisted there was no intention to mislead.
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“The Bury is a significant heritage asset at the heart of Hemel Hempstead, and we appreciate the strength of feeling that exists within the community regarding its future,” they added.
The original multi-page brochure, seen by the Watford Observer, divided the site into five plots that could be sold separately: the building and surrounding land, nearby garages, Bury Lodge, and two other patches of land.
Built around 1790, the building has served as a grand home, registry office and civic building. Vacant since 2024, it would apparently need substantial investment to reopen because of its layout and condition.
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