Permission granted for works at new satellite site for SEND school in Hemel Hempstead
Plans to transform a former sixth form block - that has been targeted by vandals - into an extension of the Collett School have been granted permission by county councillors.
The Collett School already offers education for children with special educational needs (SEND) at a site on Lockers Park Lane, in Hemel Hempstead.
But under new plans, the former Laureate Academy sixth form annexe, on nearby Gadebridge Road, would be transformed into a satellite site for the school - increasing the number of SEND places available in the Hemel Hempstead area.
The refurbishment of the building - including the removal of asbestos and new roofing - is already underway.
But planning permission was still required for elements that included a play area, accessible access, a fire stair enclosure and a new electronic access gate.
On October 21 a meeting of the county council’s development control committee backed the application.
Outlining the need for the new satellite provision, the council’s school place planning manager for west Hertfordshire, Chris Martin, highlighted the significant growth in demand for SEND places in recent years.
He told councillors that the satellite project was a key part of the council’s strategy to deliver much-needed SEND places in the area, whilst also utilising an existing part of our estate.
“The Collett satellite will bring back a vacant education building which has been a target for vandalism in recent years,” he said.
“It makes effective use of the council’s existing building stock in close proximity to the existing Collett campus.”
Collett’s executive headteacher Stephen Hoult-Allen told councillors the school currently had 130 pupils on its roll - despite the assessed capacity of the existing site being just 69.
He said that while they had been “creative” with buildings and had adapted provision, he said that ultimately there was a “limit to what can be achieved on a constrained site”.
He highlighted the school’s specialist curriculum, experienced teachers and support staff, the appropriate environments and therapeutic and pastoral approaches, alongside a whole-school understanding of communication, regulation, independence and preparation for adulthood.
“That expertise takes many years to develop,” he said.
“One of the great strengths of this proposal is that the county is not simply creating another 50 spaces in a building, but extending an established specialist school and allowing us to take that expertise to a second local site.”
He also suggested there was a wider benefit provided by their specialist teachers working with mainstream schools across Hertfordshire - sharing strategies and building expertise in mainstream schools supporting children with SEND.
A number of objections had been received by the county council in relation to the impact of the new satellite on parking and on traffic.
Councillors heard that until September (2026) the 33-bay car park at the front of the site had been used informally by parents to drop off and pick up children from nearby schools, particularly St Cuthbert Mayne Junior School.
But now it was, reported officers, restricted to staff from the junior school and contractors working on the site.
The report presented to councillors acknowledged the cluster of schools on Gadebridge Road and on Warners End Road.
Councillors heard there had been communication with parents regarding the use of the car park going forward and that schools had been encouraged to develop travel plans to reduce pressure.
Acknowledging the issue at the meeting, Mr Martin told councillors: “It is an unfortunate situation that will arise as a result of this planning application.
“It is a car park that residents and members of the adjoining schools have benefited from, on an informal basis for a number of years. That is undeniable.
“It does mean that they will have to find alternative arrangements, and obviously we encourage people to travel as sustainably as possible to their schools.
“But for the use of this, the Collett site, we do need exclusive use of this car park, and it will provide much-needed capacity for the area.”
Among those to welcome the application at the meeting was deputy executive member for education, SEND and inclusion Cllr Penelope Hill.
“I just really welcome this application,” said Cllr Hill (Liberal Democrat, Meriden Tudor).
“I do appreciate the parking concerns.
“But my understanding - from what has been said and the site visit - is that it is a temporary issue that will hopefully be well managed, and then both schools will have their car parks.
“But it is really good to see a satellite school coming online soon for SEND places.”