Plans to build a new school in a disused field have been recommended for approval despite 46 objections.
The bid to create a new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school in the disused former Durrants School playing field, next to Little Green Junior School in Croxley Green, is set to be decided by Hertfordshire County Council on Thursday (July 18).
If it goes ahead, Breakspeare School, currently in Abbots Langley, would relocate to the new site and see a massive boost in numbers.
It had 97 places in 2023 (before using a satellite location to increase this to 145 for a smoother transition this year) and will have 210 places if the move is completed.
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A public consultation ran from March 5 until April 5 which received 46 responses from the public, all of which opposed the plan.
The traffic impact and highways safety as well as the impact on nearby homes were the primary issues people raised.
Designs show a new Breakspeare School would be accessed via the narrow cul-de-sac Manor Way, which residents say is not suitable to become a busy access to a school or to be used for construction vehicles. Potential traffic in other nearby roads was also highlighted.
Objectors also said the project would change the character of Manor Way and add to overdevelopment for the wider Croxley Green area following the Killingdown Farm scheme.
The planning officers’ report produced ahead of the meeting noted that many residents acknowledged that they recognised the need for a special needs school in the area, while still maintaining concerns.
Assessing transport concerns the report, recommending approval, said that 84 mini-bus movements, 36 taxi movements, and 50 movements by private car are forecast for pupils but said they would be arranged in two phases, with the 201 staff (many of which would be part-time) arriving prior to pupils and leaving later.
The officers acknowledged that the road was narrower than the latest design guide but added that “it is felt that the staggering of the pupil arrival and departure mitigates the potential for conflict”.
They also highlighted that all parking and drop-off would be accommodated within the car park.
Although officers make a recommendation, the final decision will be made by the councillors on the committee on Thursday morning (from 10am).
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