New swimming pool to be built in school (From Borehamwood Times)

New swimming pool to be built in Haberdashers' Askes Boys' School, Elstree

2:42pm Friday 15th March 2013 in News By Anna Slater

A school gym which is “not fit for purpose” will be knocked down and replaced with a new swimming pool.

Plans to demolish the old gym and the canteen at Haberdashers’ Askes, in Butterfly Lane, Elstree, were approved at a Hertsmere Borough Council meeting last night.

The 52-year-old building has “no architectural merit”, according to the planning committee who unanimously agreed the boys’ school was in need of new and modern sports facilities.

Under the plans, seven trees will have to be cut down - but planning officer Brett Leahy said fourteen replacement trees would be planted in their place.

School bursar Shaun Wilson, said: “The swimming pool and gym have reached the end of their design lives and are wholly inadequate to meet the school’s sporting and educational needs.

“If this not replaced, it will be a risk issue. It is about replacing buildings which are no longer fit for purpose.”

He went on to explain the school holds the National 14 Under Polo championship cup - but the pupils are unable to train in the current facilities as the pool is not big enough.

The new building will house a gym, squash courts, swimming pool and a school shop.

Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning committee approved the plans as the site is not near a residential area.

Councillor Caroline Clapper added: “I support this application because the existing facilities have no architectural merit.

“We need to do all we can to make sure the school building is modern and sustainable.”