Plans for a new secondary school were approved by Brent Council despite some concerns around travel arrangements for pupils.

The council’s planning committee unanimously approved proposals for a new academy school at Chancel House, in Neasden Lane, last night (June 10).

The five-storey building will be run by the Wembley Multi-Academy Trust, catering for 1,150 pupils, with a rooftop-level ‘multi-use games area’ and a separate sixth-form block.

The committee heard how there is a “clear need” for more school places in the borough, while the executive head teacher of the multi-academy trust, Gill Bal, noted the “long waiting lists” for places at her schools.

There were some concerns about a new school’s impact on traffic in the area, though officers explained that only 11 per cent of pupils are expected to travel by car.

According to a council report, only one coach to transfer students will be available, while others will be expected to cycle, walk, or use public transport.

To support this, bus networks could be modified to increase services – following consultation with Transport for London – and 172 cycle spaces would be made available.

The multi-academy trust explained that a staggered entry and exit system would also be in place, similar to those used at its other schools in Wembley.

Cllr Trupti Sanghani, who sits on the planning committee, spoke in support of the Trust on this point, championing its approach to traffic management in the past.