A HARPENDEN builder has praised Harpenden Town councillors for supporiting his move to redevelop a local listed building and has hit back at criticism of his reported donation to build a skate park in the town.

Mr Terry Plowright, was granted permission by St Albans District Council last month, to build nine residential apartments at 40 Luton Road, Harpenden.

The building was originally a girls' school. Later it was owned by the NHS to house community teams, but has since fallen into a state of considerable disrepair.

Mr Plowright said: "Council members supported our application because they felt it best represented what the building originally intended to be.

"The council know the quality of buildings I produce and I think they will be justified in their decision."

"English Heritage have said the building is of such a dilapidated condition that it iss not of sufficient architectural or historical interest to merit listing."

"Harpenden town Council had withdrawn it from their civic trust open days because they felt it was not worth showing off to people."

The move to renovate the building was supported by surrounding residents who were concerned at its current state.

Ms Pamela Carden, who lives opposite the building was one supporter.

She said: "It is time the site was tidied up. It is in an awful mess.

"The building is not enhancing the conservation area as it stands. In fact it is a detriment to it.

"The NHS management of the building has been lamentable. It has gone from bad to worse.

"I fully support the decision to sell the building to a private developer.

"This way we get a building we can all be proud of."

Meanwhile, at a meeting of Harpenden Town Council on Monday of last week, the chairman of Harpenden Liberal Democrats, Chris Canfield, criticised the council's decision to grant permission for redevelopment.

He raised concerns over the reported donation by Mr Plowright to build a skate park in Harpenden.

Mr Canfield also voiced concern about any possible links this may have had to planning permission being granted at 40 Luton Road.

Mr Plowright, said: "The decision to build a skate park was something we had been thinking about for a long time.

"I have children of my own and there are lots of other kids in this town with nowhere to play.

"For a man who is chairman of a local political party he should be fully aware of the planning process.

"He had four or five months to make his point but he only objected to it after permission was granted."

Mr Canfield was unavailable for comment.