Plans to sell the site of the former St Albans fire station have been put in by Hertfordshire County Council.

The future of the former site just off of Harpenden Road in Bernards Heath has been a controversial issue since the fire station was closed several years ago.

Local campaigners have fought hard to protect the lower field that is part of the land being sold by the county council and for the future of local clubs that currently rent premises on the site.

One of these groups, St Albans Judo Club, is being given new facilities within the redeveloped Batchwood Sports Centre, but the future of the Pioneer youth club and skate park remains unclear.

The county council has outlined plans to receive and review bids from prospective buyers in November, while a public exhibition of the council’s broad proposals for the site would be penciled in for September.

County and district councillor Roma Mills has described a mixed reaction to the county council’s proposals, on the site which is originally home to the Ariston Works factory.

The Labour councillor said she welcomed the need for any new development to protect existing green spaces, while providing space for the Pioneer youth club and skate park that is currently based there.

However she said there is still a long way to go before residents can feel reassured as to the long term future of the site.

Councillor Mills said: “Herts County Council says its own proposals will largely reflect the planning permission that was originally granted for the site back in 2002.

“The good news is that this included the need for any buyer to re-provide for valuable community services such as the Pioneer, and ruled out any development of the lower field, which is a really vital green space for the whole area.”

“However, we’ll have to wait and see what the successful buyer actually has in mind, and in particular what they will offer the Pioneer. I’m very concerned that once a developer has ownership of the site, they will not respect the guidelines set out in the county council’s proposals.

“It was evident at the elections in May just how much this area matters to the local community and we’ll certainly need to keep a careful watch on the whole process.”