A Bushey school at bursting point will not be able to provide the school places needed after planning permission for an extension of the site was rejected by Hertsmere Borough Council.

Bushey Meads School in Coldharbour Lane, submitted an application to expand the school, which would allow it to admit an additional 150 students - an extra form per year group.

Herfordshire County Council had asked the school to expand to help address the shortfall in school places in the area.

The school proposed to build a new two storey sixth form building with a covered link to the main building, a single storey extension to the dining hall and a science block.

They also intended to create an additional 27 car parking spaces and a partial infill of the courtyard to create further mentoring classrooms.

A petition with 104 signatures by residents living in Coldharbour Lane was submitted to the council against the application, and a further 20 letters of objection sent.

Councillors Carey Keates and Anne Swerling spoke as advocates for the residents at the planning committee meeting on Thursday, February 12. They both said that no-one is against the school expanding, just the nature of the proposed sixth form building.

Cllr Swerling said: "I understand that the school needs more space but what I think what would be helpful is for the school to go back and have another look at the plans and perhaps put the sixth form building further back, as the rest of the lay out is fine."

Granville Taylor, who spoke on behalf of the residents against the application said: "The residents objected to the size and the bulk of the buildings, which would have had a massive visual impact - particularly as the four trees, which currently screen the school, will be cut down, making the street scene out of character.

"Also, the building would have been dominant, it would have reduced the openness of the Green Belt and overlooked the properties on the street, affecting people's privacy."

Residents highlighted in their objection letters that the application proposed to remove eight of the Lombardy Poplar Trees from Green Belt land and a Weeping Willow tree, which is a protected tree.

Another issue raised by residents was the increased congestion the expansion would cause, and the fact that the application did not provide any travel provisions, especially for drop off points and bus stops.

Hertsmere Borough Council refused the application on the grounds that the bulk, height and size of the sixth form building was not in keeping with the character of the street scene.

Hertsmere Mayor, cllr Keates added: "I am very pleased that the committee shared our views on the proposals and refused the application. Nobody objected, in principle, to the school expanding - it was what they planned to do to the front of the school and the removing of the tree, which have been there for 40 years.

"I used to be a governor on the school, and I want to suggest that they use the land at the back, behind Meadow Wood School - that's the idea."