The Grange Manor or Holy Cross Convent
The Grange Manor has been in the guardianship of The Sisters of The Holy Cross since 1929. The Sisters purchased the house and its beautiful and historic grounds for use as a convent and school.
Gerald Eve's recent application to demolish this historic and handsome property and use its hitherto beautiful curtilage for some 200 new dwellings and a large care home were approved 5th August 2010. Chalfont St Peter Parish Council are now going through the lengthy process of seeking to Judicially Review the decision. With support from the Diocese and Bucks County Council for a school on the site in place, it is considered that Chalfont St Peter has a robust enough case to be granted the review.
Although Chalfont St Peter is an historic village of great character, poor planning decisions in the 1960's all but completely decimated our ancient village centre. Local people are at a loss to understand why the Grange has not been listed. This site has undoubtedly been groomed for development for some years now, indeed it is easy to believe that the school was closed down, and further, left for two years to weaken the educational status before applying for planning. Chiltern District Council have as such admitted to being involved in private talks with the agents since as far back as 2004. With financial awards at stake, Chiltern District Council remains determined to develop the site, though wholly unsustainable and out of character with the village.
The Grange has enjoyed a rich history with finds showing evidence of neolithic settlement. Most notably it originally served as a farm for Missenden Abbey and was also owned by the Pennington family, as such it was used as one of the earliest Quaker meeting houses and later, a residence to Judge Jeffreys. Other notable inhabitants include John Bellers, General Terence O’Loghlin and Captain Richard Meredith RN. The Grange Manor now remains our most important village building on our most important site that the village grew up around, it should not be underestimated. English Heritage have stated that the archaeology of the site could very likely prove to be of huge importance.
Many villages with a wealth of historic buildings can afford to lose their less than period perfect buildings, Chalfont St Peter, now having little proof of it's rich history cannot afford the loss of the Grange.
The Holy Cross School closed in 2008 and the Sisters have now built a replacement convent on the edge of the site. With good profits having been made from having sold many building plots both privately and to Chiltern District Council on the periphery of the site, the sisters have done well from the site.
Much of the historic fabric of the Grange Manor has been destroyed over the years as the Sisters have developed the school and it's now possible that it will be wiped from history for ever. The Sisters and our District Council are responsible for this important piece of our local of our local heritage yet they choose to destroy it against the wishes of so many. Residents of our village are drawing the obvious parallel with the Sisters planning application and the destruction of our historic village centre in the 60's and its ultimate replacement with the concrete precinct, we must not let that happen again.
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