An application to turn a former residential retreat centre for children into a community asset has been rejected.

London Colney Parish Council submitted a proposal to St Albans Dirstrict Council to turn the SPEC Retreat Centre into an asset of the community, meaning the sale of land would be paused and the community would have six months to raise money to buy the site.

The centre is part of the All Saints Pastoral Centre Site in Shenley Lane, which was sold to developers in 2011. The main use of the building was a religious education centre providing residential courses to catholic schools at both primary and secondary level. These services moved to Pinner in March. 

District councilors Jacob Quagliozzi and Dreda Gordon spearheaded the campaign to make the centre a community asset. 

Labour councilor for London Colney Jacob Quagliozzi said: "We’re bitterly disappointed. I’ve been visiting All Saints and the SPEC since I was at school, like many local people I feel a huge affection and affinity with the place. 

"Many people in the community will have fond memories of the whole site and it is a place of real community value in my view, not least because it is an important site in the story of St Alban. 

"If first Maryland and now All Saints site do not class as community assets, you really have to question what does?"

St Albans District Council said they were refusing the application because the building has been earmarked for residential development.

A statement on their website said: "We do not consider that the building was used for community purposes.

"In addition we do not believe it is realistic to consider the use will become available again in this property for the next five years."