An MP has written to Hertfordshire County Council about what he believes to be an "acute" need for a secondary school in Radlett.

Oliver Dowden, who is the MP for Hertsmere, says he is "disappointed" that no site in the area is earmarked for a school even though he believes it is "best suited" to deliver one.

Hertsmere Borough Council's emerging local plan, which sets out how the borough will develop over the next 15 years, says the county council has identified a need for a new secondary school in both Borehamwood and Bushey.

As a result, the borough council has put forward land off Barnet Lane in Borehamwood and one of two sites in Little Bushey Lane or Compass Park in Bushey to meet the need.

A further secondary school is planned for the huge Bowmans Cross development on the Tyttenhanger Estate near London Colney; a proposed scheme which could eventually see 6,000 homes built.

Outside of Hertsmere, there are plans for a school in Carpenders Park, which could ease the burden on Bushey which takes in pupils from Carpenders Park and South Oxhey.

But no site has been specifically put forward for Radlett, with Mr Dowden stating the county council views Bushey and Radlett as one.

Analysis of the county council's school allocation figures for 2021/22 revealed Aldenham parish, which includes Radlett, had the second lowest proportion of pupils who received their preferred allocation (77 per cent) out of 28 parish areas in south west Hertfordshire. In Bushey, it was 96 per cent.

After writing to the county council to express his concerns, Mr Dowden said: "While I welcome Hertsmere Borough Council’s intention to explore sites for a new secondary school in their draft local plan, I was disappointed that there is no plan to explore sites for a new secondary school in Radlett.

"It is my view that Radlett is best suited to accommodate a new secondary school, given the particular pressure on school places which forces primary students to go to many different secondary schools."

The Conservative politician added: "I understand from my discussions with borough councillors that the county council continues to treat Bushey and Radlett as a single location with respect to demand for new school places, meaning the particular pressure on school places in Radlett is not recognised.

"I have therefore written directly to the county council to raise the particularly acute demand for school places in Radlett and to ask that this be recognised so that sites in Radlett for a new secondary school can be explored."