AFTER a summer of discontent, a new school has finally got permission for a temporary two-year home.

Harpenden Free School was given the go-ahead this week to occupy the Tithe Barn in Harpendenbury for a two-year period.

By the end of that period the free school, one of two new schools in the district, hopes to be ready to move into the former Oaklands College annexe in Victoria Road, Harpenden.

Its future was placed in jeopardy during the summer because of delays in getting planning permission to occupy the Tithe Barn.

But even though the free school had another possible temporary building it could have used, it was able to stay at the Tithe Barn until the planning application was heard.

And on Monday, St Albans planning north committee, gave the temporary approval which the school needs for the next couple of years.

Chairman, Cllr Maxine Crawley, said it had been passed comfortably by councillors but they would be writing to the school asking them to strongly urge parents to turn left when they left the building instead of right into a busy road.

Cllr Crawley said: “The only thing we were all a bit concerned with was the highway issue.

“It is a lovely building but it is a fast road and it would be safer in our opinion if parents turned left and went up to the roundabout if they want to turn right.”

She added: “I am glad this is all settled now and hopefully the school will be there for two happy years.”