A new school sports hall has been given the go-ahead by the local council, as well as playing pitches.

Immanuel College, in Bushey Heath, was granted permission to knock down an unused teaching block at the end of June and then submitted plans to redevelop much of the site in July.

The plans were approved at a meeting last week (November 16) and will see a large purpose-built Sport England Standard Sports Hall for indoor sports added to the site, as well as the conversion of the existing sports hall, upgrades to playing fields, a new teaching block, and other works and repairs.

The new teaching block replaces the one previously approved for demolition and includes four classrooms.

The existing sports hall was described as “substandard” in the plan, prompting the need for a replacement in an area currently used for car parking.

Watford Observer: Teaching block to be demolished and replaced(outlined in black), area of car park to be replaced by new sports hall (outlined in white)Teaching block to be demolished and replaced(outlined in black), area of car park to be replaced by new sports hall (outlined in white) (Image: Google Maps)

The lost parking spaces are to be be re-provided in what is currently green space. The move will then leave the existing sports hall to be converted and extended to provide new large classrooms, a staff room, and a library.

One of the school buildings, Caldecote Towers, is grade II-listed and permission to refurbish it has also been granted, following “decay and deterioration”.