Tan Parsons CONTENTIOUS plans to build two new wings at Henrietta Barnett School will be displayed to the public following complaints by residents. Prize-winning Hopkins Architects, who designed the Mound Stand at Lord's cricket ground and the new opera h

Tan Parsons

CONTENTIOUS plans to build two new wings at Henrietta Barnett School will be displayed to the public following complaints by residents.

Prize-winning Hopkins Architects, who designed the Mound Stand at Lord's cricket ground and the new opera house at Glyndebourne, will exhibit their designs for the �7.5million extension at the school on Tuesday.

The move follows complaints from residents who felt there had been insufficient consultation with the wider reaches of Hampstead Garden Suburb.

Residents' association spokesman Derek Epstein said: "We have throughout welcomed the school's development but have been keen to achieve greater recognition of some of the Suburb's architectural themes.

"The exhibition is being launched by the school ahead of final detailing, to enable residents to learn where the project has reached. While the adjacent streets were notified by Barnet Council and the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust last August, the wider Suburb has not been consulted.

"This will be a unique opportunity to hear from Hopkins how they see the development plans fitting into the Suburb. We urge residents to attend so that there can be a constructive consideration of views."

The development, which has been approved by Barnet Council and by the HGS Trust, will mean pupils can study music, drama and design technology in purpose-built spaces instead of the temporary portable buildings that are currently used.

Earlier plans to locate the new buildings on the school tennis courts were fiercely opposed by residents with views across the open land.

The approved location has proved less controversial, but the detailed design of the elevations has been the subject of considerable debate.

The plans are subject to approval on details such as windows and brickwork, and next week's exhibition will be the first opportunity for residents to see colour drawings of the key buildings which will face the Lutyens-designed Central Square.

Funding for the project is from the government's Department for Children, Schools and Families. The exhibition will be held in the school hall from 7pm on Tuesday.