THE sale of Peterborough’s Old Deanery is part of a “long-term strategy to secure the future of the cathedral”, the Dean has said.

The Grade II* Listed six-bedroom Old Deanery was the residence for the Dean of Peterborough until 2017, and was put up for sale for £1.15 million.

On Tuesday, the Dean, the Very Revd Chris Dalliston, said: “The sale of the Old Deanery at Peterborough is part of a long-term strategy to secure the future of the Cathedral so that it can continue its ministry at the heart of the city, not just in this 900th year but well into the future.

“Inevitably there is some sadness in such a process, but we look forward to a positive relationship with whoever takes ownership of the property.”

The sale follows recent trouble for Peterborough Cathedral, including a cashflow crisis in 2016 which led to the resignation of the Dean and several redundancies (News, 29 July 2016).

This month, the General Synod welcomed the Cathedrals Working Group report (News, 13 July), which included proposals on making cathedrals more financially stable. The working group was set up last year by the Archbishops’ Council after the episcopal Visitation of Peterborough Cathedral and the involvement of the Church Commissioners.

Not all were happy with the decision to sell the Old Deanery. The Revd Fergus Butler-Gallie, an Assistant Curate at Liverpool Parish Church, posted on Twitter: “Good to see the Church of England keeping up with the contemporary trend for mindless acts of self inflicted vandalism by flogging the ancient Deanery at Peterborough cathedral.”