A HEADTEACHER has hailed the “exciting” plans to move pupils to a new building and turn their old school into houses.

Hertswood Academy, in Thrift Farm Lane, Borehamwood, will be moved to a new state-of-the-art building on the lower site in Cowley Hill, in September 2018.

The Ark Theatre, which opened in 2009 and cost £1.9m to build, will also be knocked down and re-built.

Plans to create 301 new homes, including 68 three bedroom houses, 81 four bedroom houses, 39 one bedroom flats and 113 two bedroom flats were approved unanimously by Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning committee on Thursday.

Headteacher of the school, Peter Gillett, labelled the proposals “ambitious”.

He said: “We are delighted. This brings us a major step closer to delivering the outstanding and educational facilities we know every parent wants for their child.

“Further consultations and a detailed timeline for the building plans will be announced in due course.

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported the academy during the application process so far including our students, staff, parents, governors and our sponsor, the Meller Educational Trust.

“As our exciting plans progress, we will continue to ensure that our students excel and exceed national standards whilst looking forward to a very bright future indeed.”

Borehamwood Times:

The new school will include a library, a sports centre, the Ark Theatre and new cutting-edge ICT in every classroom.

It will also feature a new restaurant, a sensory garden and a sixth-form centre as well as new squash courts, a gym and a dance studio.

Mr Gillett added: “Our Sports Centre and Ark Theatre will be in a prominent position, clearly visible from the roadside with convenient and plentiful parking.

“Most importantly, our students and their teachers would receive the outstanding educational facilities that every parent would want them to have.”

But Andrew Lewis, the chairman of the Elstree and Borehamwood Residents’ Association, is concerned the homes will be “too cramped”.

He also complained about how a lack of infrastructure, such as doctors surgeries, will mean there will be little amenities available for the new residents.

He said: ““I am not actually against new homes but we need bigger roads and more parking – why don’t we just do that first?

“In America they build all their infrastructure first and then build the new houses. But this is like a chicken before the egg situation.

“I am not actually against new homes but we need bigger roads and more parking – why don’t we just do that frst?

“The plans look cramped, that needs to be addressed. The designs of the houses look like but everything feels like it’s on top of you. Residents will be staring into their neighbour’s bedrooms.”

The Borehamwood Times has requested comment from Hertsmere Borough Council.