Councillors have approved plans to build up to 95 homes on the site of a fire brigade training centre.

Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) approved plans to demolish the Longfield site, next to The John Henry Newman School, and replace it with housing last night (Tuesday).

The site would be accessed from Hitchin Road and 40% of the homes there would have to be deemed “affordable housing”.

John Henry Newman headteacher Clive Mathew attended the meeting to voice his opposition, claiming the school had not been properly consulted and the project would increase congestion and the risk of accidents.

He said: “I am absolutely baffled by the lack of consultation given to the school considering how significant an impact it will have on our environment.

“Since having faith school transport removed in 2006, we have put together a new travel plan for students. We are encouraging them to bike and walk to school but there is still a huge amount of congestion on the roads in the mornings and this will only make it worse.”

The Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service say its current facilities are no longer “fit for purpose” and plan to move to a new site in Welwyn GC.