The site of a former school will be developed into a housing scheme up to nine storeys high that will provide 250 new homes.

Brent Council’s planning committee approved proposals for the mixed-use project on vacant land at the junction of Cecil Avenue and High Road, Wembley.

It is on the site of the former Copeland Community School, with its replacement, Ark Elvin Academy, situated behind the area for the proposed development.

Council planning officers noted the level of affordability – which stands at 40 per cent per habitable room – and the fact more than a quarter of homes would be family-sized.

And Brent Council regeneration officer Maire Grogan said it had been well-received by businesses who might seek to make use of the commercial space offered.

However, there were some concerns raised around the impact of the development on existing infrastructure; there would need to be improvements in transport routes and the offer of more nearby school places.

Some neighbours also criticised the scale and design of the project, though it was deemed “acceptable within the emerging street scene” by officers.

Cllr James Denselow, chairman of the planning committee, cited the loss of trees as part of the scheme, including a London plane tree in High Road that is subject to a tree preservation order.

Officers explained that 49 replacement trees would be planted as compensation, which works out at five new trees for every tree lost and includes six street trees.

It is expected that the communal areas will be open to the public during the day but will be closed off during the evenings and on event days at Wembley Stadium.