A Hertfordshire school where buildings are “in critical need of works” is set for the bulldozer.

After a Hertsmere Borough Council planning meeting on Thursday, April 20, the Department for Education has granted permission to tear down Little Reddings Primary School.

The Bushey school is one of 11 in Hertfordshire selected to receive school rebuilding programme funds from the government.

As part of the plans, the existing single-storey main building which was built in the 1960s would be replaced with a two-storey, 420-place school and 39-place nursery – the same number of places as the existing unit.

The new build on the existing site will feature a 0.09 hectare “gain … in terms of playing field provision”.

A planning officer report into the scheme reads: “The building comprises a 1960s construction with a number of alterations that have been linked to the main buildings in order to accommodate further requirements.

“However, the buildings have been identified as being insufficient for their layout, substandard and in critical need of works.

“The nursery which was added to the site in the 1980s lies in Flood Zone 3, therefore is at high risk of flooding, while it also does not meet modern standards.

“The proposal would aim to provide safe, modern buildings in line with the Department for Education’s output specifications to support the delivery of effective education, while the new building would be greener, helping to meet net zero standards.”

The report adds: “Sport England Officers noted that there would be a net gain of 0.09 hectares in terms of playing field provision.

“It was further noted that the works would improve the gradient issues associated with the existing playing field which would result in superior quality outdoor space in comparison to the existing.

“While it is noted that there would be some disruption in the use of the retained playing field for approximately 12 months during construction, the existing hard play area to the north-west of the site would be maintained in use throughout the construction period.”

Council officers said neighbours had raised concerns about traffic and parking nearby, with Harcourt Road “particularly busy between pick-up and drop-off times”.

Hertfordshire County Council’s highways department did not raise an objection to the final plans, and according to Hertsmere Borough Council, “while traffic issues relating to the operation of the school are recognised, the proposal would not increase the number of students and therefore the conditions would not be worse than existing”.

The report adds: “While the school notes they are encouraging parents to use alternative methods of transport than private vehicles, such changes cannot be enforced by the school or the planning system.”

Throughout 2021 and 2022, the Department for Education identified 400 projects in England where schools will be refurbished and rebuilt.

Applications were prioritised according to each building’s condition.

They include some schools where “buildings had risks that have the potential to cause significant harm to pupils and/or staff that meant they were a high priority for replacement”.

A statement by the developer sets out: “[A] feasibility study determined the need to demolish and rebuild the school which dates from the mid-20th century and has high-condition needs.

“When it moves to its new building, with its extensive landscaping, community focus and sustainability-led approach, Little Reddings Primary School will quickly become a hub of the local community, which has a high demand for schools already.”

Other schools in Hertfordshire identified in the rebuild programme include Peartree Primary in Welwyn Garden City, St Cuthbert Mayne Catholic Junior and The Hemel Hempstead School in Hemel Hempstead, and Haileybury Turnford near Broxbourne.