Shenley Park

History of Shenley Park Trust

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• HISTORY OF SHENLEY PARK
  • HISTORY OF PORTERS PARK
  • HISTORY OF SHENLEY HOSPITAL
  • HISTORY OF SHENLEY PARK TRUST

When the Hospital closed the site was sold by the Health Authority to developers and nearly 900 new housing units were built on the site. Of the Hospital Buildings The Old Chapel, The Water Tower and Orchard Villa are the only ones that remain. The Water Tower was sold by the Health Authority and has been recently converted into private residencies. The Old Chapel and Orchard Villa (one of the Hospital wards) were given to the Shenley Park Trust.

Shenley Park Trust was established in 1992 as an independent charitable Trust to develop, manage and maintain a 45 acre rural Park for the inhabitants of Shenley and neighbouring Parishes. The land was granted to the Trust on a 150 year lease from Hertsmere Borough Council who are the land owners.

The private accomodation Porterslea, once the home of the Hospital Superintendent, was given to the Trust. However this was sold by the Trust to generate income for the renovation of the Stable Flats which themselves date back to the times of the Mansion. During the times of the Hospital they had served as quarters for the Medical Staff.

Orchard Villa was given to the Trust who renovated it into offices that are leased to generate income for the Trust. The same happened for Gardeners Cottage.

The Coach House and North Garage were retained by the Trust as equipment sheds. The Old Dairy is currently rented by a local theatre group for storage of their equipment.

The Engine House used to be the home of the Shenley Park Trust Office with staff accomodation above. However this was sold in 1999 to generate money for the renovation of the derelict Bothy which is the new home of the Trust office with staff accomodation above.

The other properties that the Trust owns are South Lodge and the Stewards House, these are both privately let to generate income for the Trust.

When the Shenley Park Trust was set up it was given together with the buildings mentioned above a lump sum of money. Some of this money was used straight away for development of the Park, the rest invested so as to generate an annual income for the Park. Together with the rental income from the its properties the Trust is self financing and will aim to remain this way for the remainder of its lease.

Shenley Park Trust is an example of an innovative way to develop and maintain public open space and in 2002 Shenley Park won an award from ILAM (Institute of Landscape and Amenity Management) for exactly that.