Plans for the major redevelopment of a Letchworth GC school have been recommended to the council.

Plans to rebuild The Highfield School in Letchworth GC have been recommended for approval by council officers ahead of a planning committee meeting on Thursday, February 20.

The plans were submitted to North Hertfordshire District Council in November and included a new secondary school building, hard and soft surface play areas, car parking and a multi-use games area.

The existing school building will be demolished under the plans, but a three-year-old sports hall will be retained.

The council have received objections from Highfield residents, which included complaints regarding privacy, noise levels, traffic and the loss of views from homes.

But the report states: “Representations have been received which raise serious concerns about the impacts of the development upon residential amenity.

“It is not felt that the proposed development would cause a significant loss of privacy for the neighbouring properties, due to the relationship, vegetation screen and position and nature of the windows and doors.

“Overall, in respect of neighbouring amenity the proposed design of the buildings and the relationship with the neighbouring properties leads to the conclusion that there are no sustainable reasons for refusal on the grounds of the proposed development having an unacceptable impact upon the residential amenities of the neighbouring properties.”

Should planning permission be granted, building works should start during Spring 2014 and be completed by Autumn 2015.