Plan for giant secondary school at Bushey Country Club 'scrapped'

According to the Bushey Conservatives, Hertfordshire County Council has decided not to take up the opportunity of building a school at Bushey Country Club.

At a meeting organised by Hertsmere Borough Council earlier this year, residents were given details about a potential redevelopment of the country club site.

The borough council, which owns the land, shared proposals of a school for around 1,900 pupils along with two areas of housing and a community area, potentially forming a part of its upcoming Local Plan.

According to Tory representatives in Bushey, the county council, which is responsible for education in Hertfordshire, subsequently investigated the country club as a potential new site for a school - however it has emerged building a school here has been deemed "undeliverable" due to high costs and its topography.

Bushey Country Club site

Bushey St James councillor Harry Mortimer said: "We are delighted to hear Hertfordshire County Council officers have come to the decision that this site is not suitable.

"We have been highlighting this for some time now, this is a victory for the people of Bushey.

"This is the second bit of good news they have had in recent months, after Hertsmere Borough Council officers decided the Watford FC stadium at Bushey Hall Golf Club was a non-starter, again after local Conservatives continually highlighted the negative factors.

"We now turn our attention to other possible sites. The county council would like a school, as Bushey is their preferred location, and we will continue to fight for residents if the location doesn't meet requirements."

This masterplan was shown to residents by Hertsmere Borough Council in March. The red/brown marks the school while the beige is housing

Oliver Dowden, Member of Parliament for Hertsmere, said: "Whilst the Local Plan is wholly a matter for Hertsmere Borough Council, I have made clear from the outset that proposals at the site must retain our green open spaces and have always emphasised the importance of engaging with residents at all stages. This site is a part of Bushey community life and residents have a right to a say in it.

"Whilst I do believe there is a need for a new secondary school to serve Hertsmere residents, particularly in Bushey and Radlett, I was not convinced of the former Bushey Country Club site as the best solution. I am pleased that Hertsmere Borough Council have decided to no longer consider the site as an option for a secondary school."

Bushey Country Club site

Bushey North Liberal Democrat councillor Jerry Evans said: "The scrapping of the country club school plan is a victory for Bushey residents, who stood up for their community and forced council leaders to back down."

Hertfordshire County Council has been approached for further details.

Details of a potential school at Bushey Country Club, which closed in 2018, came as a surprise to many, including members of a consultation group, which had been specifically set up to look at options of how to redevelop the land while retaining an open green space in Bushey.

The Observer learnt Bushey Country Club Consultation Group never suggested, recommended, or even mentioned a school in its final report about the possible future use of the land.

The entrance to Bushey Country Club. The site is currently leased to a wedding and events venue and also operates as a restaurant

Related: Huge school could be built on Bushey Country Club site

Related: Consultation group didn't put forward school for Bushey Country Club

Related: Freedom of Information request reveals more on whether Bushey needs another secondary school

A county council spokesperson told the Observer in March: "The county council has advised Hertsmere of the supporting infrastructure, including schools, required as a result of new housing proposed in its local plan.

"Hertsmere have suggested that Bushey Country Club might provide a suitable secondary school site with a capacity for up to ten forms of entry.

“We will continue to work with Hertsmere to ensure that new school sites are located in suitable and sustainable locations."

Bushey Country Club when it was still operating as a country club and golf course

A borough council spokesperson said at the time: “Indicative levels of longer term growth from the local education authority for the area do suggest that further secondary school provision for Bushey is likely to be required.

"This site could potentially address that requirement though, as was stressed during the online meeting, this is an outline design concept at this stage with a great deal of work yet to be done on developing this potential option and consultation."