Homes planned for former school site – despite governors denying land would be sold for development

A bird's eye view of the potential Tring Heights development that could be built on the former Francis House Preparatory School site in Tring

Property developer Strutt & Parker wants to build Tring Heights – a cul-de-sac of two, three and four-bedroom houses – on the former Francis House Preparatory School site off Aylesbury Road in Tring.

When governors at the private school announced its shock closure last summer, they denied rumours that the site was to be sold for housing development.

They said the decision to close the 126-pupil fee-paying Christian school was ‘regrettable’ but blamed it on falling pupil numbers and an ‘unviable future’.

Homes in the roads surrounding the site were leafleted in the lead-up to a public consultation held at the Temperance Hall on Christchurch Road on Monday, November 16, which was attended by more than 100 people.

No formal planning application has been submitted to Dacorum Borough Council as yet. Strutt & Parker confirmed there will be ‘some changes’ to the proposed scheme following the public exhibition, but refused to reveal what they are.

Simon Handy, senior planner at Strutt & Parker, said: “The majority of those in attendance were in favour of new housing being created to serve the residents of Tring.

“The development’s emphasis on two-bedroom and three-bedroom units was particularly well received.

“The closure of the existing vehicular access from the site onto Longfield Road with a pair of semi-detached dwellings being constructed in its place was also seen as a benefit arising from the development.”

But while the London-based firm said the number of written objections to the plans has been ‘relatively low’ since the consultation, they refused to reveal an actual figure.

The development consists of 20 two-bedroom homes, 16 three-bedroom homes, four four-bedroom homes and dedicated parking.

Email [email protected] to have your say. Residents will also be able to comment on the official planning application on the council’s website, once it has been submitted.

>What are your thoughts on the plans? Email [email protected] with your views.