We, the undersigned, urgently call upon St Albans School to withdraw the application known as Woollam Park in North St Albans.  

St Albans School is an esteemed institution at the heart of our city with exceptional facilities and a long-standing reputation for excellence.  Our community do not think it is ethical to proceed with the promotion of the development of this Green Belt land in partnership with Hallam Land Management. 

The application and approach has repeatedly shown disregard for the environmental and community impact of developing this land, with the Woodland Trust strongly objecting due to the negative and unsustainable impact on Heartwood Forest. 

The proposed development of 1,150 houses on this surface water floodplain threatens not only local biodiversity but public safety for future occupiers.  The scheme is also proposing inadequate and dangerous cycle routes into the city centre.  Would St Albans School advise their own pupils and parents to cycle this routes which are not LTN 1/20 compliant?

The government’s own predictions say there will be 4000 extra traffic movements per day on Harpenden Rd. This will create even more frightening road conditions for children walking to school in the neighbouring New Greens as cars and lorries find ways to escape the congestion by racing down residential streets. 

The idea that St Albans School should operate a strategic land portfolio against the benefit of the community and environment baulks at the legacy of The Woollam Trust.

We understand the parents at the school have been told that for selling the Green Belt for development the school will receive in excess of £75,000,000!! The school is already incredibly well funded by past, present and future parents and has astonishing facilities compared to state schools in St Albans.

We call on the school to honour its responsibility to the community and environment and to future generations by protecting this vital Green Belt used as productive high quality agricultural land.  It forms an ecological corridor for Heartwood Forest, safeguarding wildlife, and helping preserve the natural character of St Albans for all future generations to come.

For more information please visit https://savenorthstalbansgreenbelt.org