News

Minster Abbey has received Planning Permission for

Parkminster Project!

We wish to express our deepest gratitude to our friends and volunteers who worked, prayed, encouraged and supported us with the Parkminster Project. May it be a place where many people may come and experience spiritual refreshment and sanctuary

Parkminster

On April 16 we finally received planning permission for change of use for the Oast house area recently named “Parkminster”. We will incorporate the Parkminster Property into the present Guest House outreach. We are now trying to raise funds to enable us to continue our restoration work on the barn and the surrounding area.
This site forms an integral part of the ancient Monastery’s Tithe Barn area. It is situated adjacent to the Abbey Guest House and Farm. With the old monastic ponds it forms the eastern boundary of our Benedictine monastery.

The aim of the Parkminster project is to renovate the two story unused barn, which was for 20 years leased as an agricultural museum The barn could allow us to welcome larger groups of people, and provide meeting space for the numerous day groups who come to the Abbey. We hope to use both floors as meeting areas. As well as being used for day groups, our residential guests will also benefit from the beauty and serenity of Parkminster.

The barn has two stairways leading to the first floor, with a stair lift for disabled access. It has good toilet facilities, and is accessible for disabled people. There is a small kitchen with snack bar facilities.
In addition to the barn renovation, the project will reclaim a half a hectare of land adjacent to the Abbey farm and Guest House. The large space would allow us to welcome larger day groups, and other smaller groups simultaneously. The project also involves landscaping the grounds in order to create a beautiful garden area, for quiet reflection and prayer, or for picnicking. The sisters also plan to offer some of the property for the use of horticultural training projects for disabled and vulnerable people, and other similar charitable projects. This project will allow the sisters to expand their present ministry of providing spiritual refreshment and support for people who come seeking sanctuary from demanding and stressful lives.

Project Details

The entire area is a conservation area. The plan is to restore the barn and adjacent land to an acceptable level of health and safety. The roof was considered to be dangerous and in urgent need of repair. Repairs to the roof with “like for like” Kent tiles began in February 2008, and work is nearly completed. Six roof windows have been installed in order to create adequate light for the first floor meeting area.

The barn will require new flooring in order to comply with health and safety regulations. In addition the barn will require treatment for the timber, and insulation will be installed. An electrical survey shows that there is much work required in order to meet present standards. A new hot water cylinder will need to be installed. A fire safety system would also need to be installed, in order to comply with fire regulations. The heating would be supplied through electrical wall heaters. The project also includes clearing and landscaping the grounds in order to create space for gardens, and possible horticultural activities. The ponds which are the home of a variety of ducks, geese and other wild life will require extensive conservation work.

To enable us to carry out these plans we have approached several Grant Making Trusts, and we hope work will be completed later this year. Please keep us in your prayers. If you wish to book Parkminster or our other Guest House facilities please apply to Minster Abbey.

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