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6 EDUCATION ALLOCATIONS

6.1 The Core Strategy sets out that the Council will support improved provision of, and access to, services and facilities to meet future demands, including through the expansion of existing schools and/or provision of new schools to meet identified needs. It is noted that needs for education are not constrained by District boundaries.

POLICY SA3: EDUCATION SITE ALLOCATIONS

Three Rivers District Council will continue to work with the County Council, adjoining authorities and other interested parties to identify the most appropriate sites to meet identified educational needs.

Allocated education sites will be safeguarded for secondary and primary school use.

Secondary Schools

6.2 Hertfordshire County Council is responsible for the provision of schools. The County Council have identified that there is an absolute shortage of secondary school places in the Rickmansworth and Watford School Place Planning Area from 2014/15 with a deficit of 11 forms of entry from 2018/2019 increasing to a peak in demand of over 18 forms of entry from 2022/23. The forecast figures do not allow for any surplus capacity and HCC advise that it is prudent to plan for at least a 5% surplus places to allow for some fluctuation in numbers and for a degree of parental preference. Therefore a maximum of 19 forms of entry should be planned for.

6.3 The Core Strategy recognises the need for additional secondary school places in the District and proposes that land be allocated for this purpose.

6.4 Based on current pupil forecasts, the County Council have requested the allocation and reservation across the plan period (up to 2026) of two sites for secondary education. Both sites will not necessarily be developed, or be developed in the short term, if for example the numbers of pupils forecast do not emerge.

6.5 Given the geographic spread of existing schools in south west Hertfordshire and the growing pressure from both the Rickmansworth and Watford areas, the County Council advise that it is appropriate to allocate one site in the west of the District (Mill End/Maple Cross) and one site in the east (Croxley Green).

Primary Schools

6.6 The County Council has also identified the need for primary school places equal to 2 forms of entry in both the Rickmansworth and Abbots Langley areas to address the current and forecast deficit of places. Based on current pupil forecasts, the County Council have requested the allocation and reservation across the plan period (up to 2026) of two sites for primary education.

Education Allocations

6.7 Therefore,  the following sites are allocated:

  • Site S(a) Mill End/Maple Cross – Land east of A405/north of A412 to allow an 'all through' approach to primary and secondary education provision
  • Site S(b) Croxley Green  - land north east of Baldwins Lane for secondary  education provision
  • Site S(c) Woodside Road, Abbots Langley for primary education provision.

6.8 Details of the secondary and primary school allocations are set out below. Appendix 2 shows the secondary and primary school sites allocations alongside all other allocations by parish area.

Education Allocations

Site Ref

S(a)

Site

Mill End/Maple Cross – Land east of A405/north of A412

Education Allocations

Current Use

Agricultural land

Site Area

19.6ha

Constraints

Green Belt
Colne Valley Regional Park
Central River Valleys Landscape Area
Small area in southern part of site is a local wildlife site

Comments

  • The site is mainly flat and large enough for a school and attached playing fields.
  • Vehicular access should be achievable subject to some improved visibility splays which may require the removal of some trees.
  • The site is adjacent to a bus stop with a regular bus service.
  • The site is adjacent to the urban area of Mill End.
  • There is a wildlife site along the southern boundary of the site.
  • The motorway adjacent to the site may lead to noise and air quality impacts on the site which would need to be mitigated.
  • Vehicle access to the site would be through Long Lane close to the Uxbridge Road.
  • There would be a narrowing of the gap between the built areas of Mill End and Maple Cross and harm to the visual amenity of the Green Belt which should be mitigated through careful design and placement of buildings with appropriate landscaping.

Site Ref

S(b)

Site

Croxley Green – land north east of Baldwins Lane

Education Allocations

Current Use

Open space (not publicly accessible)

Site Area

12.3ha

Constraints

Green Belt
Central River Valleys Landscape Area
Proposed cycle route on southern boundary

Comments

  • The topography of site would constrain potential to provide the full requirement of playing fields on the site, and detached playing fields may be required to the north of the site.
  • There are some mature trees and tree groupings on the site which should be retained where possible as part of any scheme.
  • Vehicular access from Baldwins Lane is achievable subject to the diversion of Lodge Lane and replacement car parking for Baldwins Lane.
  • Good access to public transport.
  • The adjacent railway which is part of the Croxley Rail Link scheme may lead to noise on the site which would need to be mitigated.
  • The site is highly visible from the residential area to the west, but impacts could be mitigated by careful design and landscaping.
  • The site is adjacent to the urban area of Croxley Green and is in a good location in relation to Watford and Rickmansworth School catchment areas.

Site Ref

S(c)

Site

Woodside Road, Abbots Langley

Education Allocations

Current Use

Greenfield

Site Area

2.5ha

Constraints

Green Belt

 



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