THE team behind the new free school for Harpenden have their eyes set on a new site after plans to use Crabtree Fields have been thrown out.

Initially the Harpenden Free School team were pursuing the possibility of using the land off Aldwickbury Crescent, after ruling out Rothamsted Research as one of the sites.

However, Adam Nichols, chairman of the Harpenden Free School Trust, has said that following consultations with the public and stakeholders, the Crabtree site was seen as an unpopular option.

He said: "As a result, we are now pursuing the third of the three sites we identified in our original proposal. This is the old Victorian school buildings in Victoria Road in Harpenden town centre.

"Because this building is already approved for use as a school the planning process will be far less onerous and would be available for us to move into for the second year of operation, once the refurbishment is complete."

Mr Nichols said the site has many benefits, being in a central location and addressing the shortage of school places in that area of town.

He added: "Negotiations with Herts County Council on the sale of the site are at an advanced stage, and we hope to conclude a deal in the next couple of weeks."

It is envisaged the permanent home for Harpenden Free School will not be ready for the start of term in September 2012 and several temporary locations are being considered.

A two-year lease for the Glen Eagles Hotel in Harpenden was agreed, but recently fell through. One of the preferred temporary locations at the moment in Tythe Barn, a 14th century barn near Redbourn.