Langley Park School for Girls drops rebuild...

A Girls’ school has decided to drop its legal battle with a neighbouring boys school over redevelopment plans.

The conflict between the two schools began last year when Langley Park School for Girls challenged plans from Langley Park School for Boys for a complete rebuild.

The girls’ school appealed the huge planning application because it claimed the council had made a legal error granting the £38m plans, but also raised objections that the new designs encroached on the girls’ classrooms and playing fields.

The High Court disagreed but the Court of Appeal finally ruled in favour of the girls’ school and the plans were withdrawn.

Then last month, the Supreme Court turned down Bromley Council’s application to fight the Court of Appeal ruling.

Days before the Supreme Court ruling, the boys’ school had a second set of plans approved by a Bromley Council planning committee.

And despite their continuing objections, staff and governors at the girls’ school have decided not take any more legal action.

Langley Park School for Girls’ head teacher Jan Sage told the planning committee last month her school had spent around £170,000 fighting the first planning application.

However, following the Supreme Court’s decision, the council will have to foot the final bill which has not yet been disclosed.

Both schools share the same patch of Metropolitan Open Lane in Hawksbrook Lane, Beckenham.