AN overcrowded primary school in Bushey will be allowed to expand, despite concerns this will lead to traffic chaos.

The extension to Sacred Heart Primary School was given the go-ahead because benefits to children outweighed the possible harm to the Merry Hill area.

Speaking at a meeting of Hertsmere Borough Council's planning committee last Thursday, Father Guy, of the school board, said pupils were suffering from cramped conditions.

He said concerns about the safety and security of children could only be addressed if mobile classrooms were replaced with a permanent building.

And he said the school was under strain from increasing numbers of applicants for places. For entry in September, the 40 places at nursery level are already heavily over subscribed.

Labour group leader Councillor Frank Ward said it was the council's duty to help the school tackle its problems.

"Our responsibility is to the community and to the citizens of tomorrow," he said.

Councillor Seamus Quilty gave the project his "whole-hearted support" and said the circumstances were special enough to allow extra building in Green Belt land.

Under planning rules, development in Green Belt is only permitted in "very special" cases. Schools do not automatically qualify.

But local council members have consistently said education needs are important enough.

An extension has been allowed in Green Belt at Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Butterfly Lane, Elstree.

And new sports pitches at Queens' School, in Aldenham Avenue, Bushey, were backed, despite strong reservations about their environmental impact.

Concerns were raised about the "school run scrum" at Sacred Heart, which Councillor Lynne Hodgson described as a nightmare.

She said "parents in 4x4 vehicles" caused huge problems, but supported the extension, which will increase the number of pupils at the Catholic school.

As part of the planning approval, numbers at the school will be limited to less than 300.