A proposal to double the number of places at a primary school in the centre of St Albans is now out for consultation.

Herts county council (HCC) are asking what people think about allowing 60 instead of 30 children to attend St Peter’s School each year from 2020.

It hopes the plans will address the increasing pressure on school allocation, which meant some children had to be put in schools which were not within walking distance from their homes.

Figures indicate that from 2019 onwards, St Albans primaries will be full to capacity with an only 0.2 per cent surplus - providing no flexibility for unexpected increases in demand.

St Peter’s School head Gillie Young said: “Now that the public consultation is open I would encourage all interested parties to have their say on the proposals.”

The HCC cabinet also rubber-stamped investment in facilities at both St Albans Girls’ School (STAGS) and Sandringham School to allow them to cope with increased Year 7 provision from 2019.

Samuel Ryder Academy has been given the go-ahead to expand its premises, subject to planning permission.

Headteacher at STAGS, Margaret Chapman, said: “This expansion will enable the building of new accommodation and further improvement in our facilities throughout the school.”

She said it was appropriate that, to mark a century since women’s suffrage, the new form is called Emmeline Pankhurst.

Sandringham head Alan Gray said: “Anyone wishing to have their say should provide their feedback on the proposals, which we believe will have a positive impact on the school and its pupils as well as providing additional spaces for more local students.”

HCC cabinet member for education, Terry Douris, said: “We are committed to making sure that every child in Hertfordshire has a place at one of our great schools so they can reach their full potential. That means ensuring the right number of school places in the best location. We will continue to invest money to ensure that where the county’s population grows we build the appropriate infrastructure.”

Comment on the St Peter’s consultation at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/consultations