by Alex Wellman Planning permission for a new secondary school in Wembley has been granted at a council meeting. Brent Council s Planning Committee gave the green light to the proposal to build Wembley Academy school in the playing fields

by Alex Wellman

Planning permission for a new secondary school in Wembley has been granted at a council meeting.

Brent Council's Planning Committee gave the green light to the proposal to build Wembley Academy school in the playing fields in Bridge Road, Wembley.

The school, which when full will house 1,600 pupils, will be sponsored by educational charity ARK Schools (Absolute Return for Kids) and the council gave the go-ahead at a meeting at Brent Town Hall in Forty Lane, Wembley, on Tuesday April 28.

Cllr Bob Wharton, Member for Children and Families, said, "I'm really pleased this new school for our borough has been approved. This school will offer real relief to parents and children who currently face difficulties finding a school place in the Wembley area.

"There is pressure on all schools in the borough and this new school is a part of a wider plan to develop school places across the borough.

"This brings to an end the years of Labour neglect when despite allowing massive development in the Wembley area, they did not provide adequate school places for local people.

"It is and will remain a priority for the Liberal Democrats to make sure that every youngster in Brent has a school place, now and in the future."

A primary school has already opened on the site and, when complete, will also house a six form of entry secondary school.

The proposal has been at the centre of controversy with opponents staging a series of well orchestrated protests against the plans including one group camping out on the site for almost six months.

alex.wellman@archant.co.uk

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