Three-storey school building at Hasmonean High School, London NW7

What was proposed

The application proposed replacing gym and nursery facilities with a three-storey school building, MUGA, floodlights, footpath, amenity space and environmental measures.

“The proposed development submitted by Jewish Secondary School Movement comprises of the demolition of the existing single storey gym/nursery facilities and erection of a new three storey school building and formation of new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) including installation of new floodlights and new footpath leading from the main buildings. Provision of new external amenity space, additional cycle parking and refuse & recycling facilities.”

“Demolish the existing gym/nursery facilities which is located towards the front of the site adjacent to the netball courts, and replace it with a new three storey building. • A new hard court play area and MUGA is proposed for the north end of the site (45m x 38m). • Consolidate the two separate Boys School buildings onto one site, thereby switching to this site from the existing school on Holders Hill, with the girls’ school moving to that site.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The school site lies within the Metropolitan Green Belt beside a nature conservation site, with existing buildings, sports pitches, grounds and car parks.

“The Application Site (the ‘Site’) relates to Hasmonean School for Girls which is located on an expansive site on Page Street (circa 2.38 hectares), to the east of the M1, Junction 2. The site is wholly within the Metropolitan Green Belt. The site is bounded by Page Street, with the main entrance off Page Street, and Champions Way. To the east and south of the site is the Copthall South Fields, a local Site of Importance for…”

“The school site consists of a mixture of existing school buildings, sports pitches, associated grounds, and car parks. The school which was constructed in the 1970’s is a two to three storey building, well set back within the site and of limited visibility from outside the site. The site falls steeply from north to south (from the grassed areas towards the buildings).”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier, larger school redevelopment was refused and withdrawn, while previous permissions included school development and a crèche.

“The above application was a long running application to consolidate the boys and girls schools on an extended site, including the school site, and part of the wider Copthall site, for a much larger new school development. The application was heard before the Strategic Planning Committee Meeting held on 06 th May 2025. It was resolved to refuse planning permission and the application was subsequently withdrawn on 24 th June 2025.”

“Planning permission was Granted for Outline Planning Approval for the erection of a school for the Hasmonean Boys Grammar School for up to 900 pupils on the site of the current Girls School Site under planning application reference W00996 following a Public Inquiry in 1969.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, subject to the Mayor’s position, conditions and a legal agreement, considering the proposal sustainable and policy-compliant.

“Officers consider that this proposal represents a well-considered and sustainable development, which is in accordance with adopted policy, including Green Belt policy. The development is therefore recommended for approval subject to the recommendation contained within Section 2 of this report.”

“That, following completion of the section 106 legal agreement referred to in resolution 2.1 above and subject to resolution 2.4 above, planning permission be granted in accordance with the Planning Application subject to the attachment of conditions listed in Appendix 1 of this report.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A supporter and the agent addressed the committee in support of the application.

The committee vote

The committee voted nine to zero to approve the officer recommendations, with no abstentions.

“The Committee moved to a vote on Officer’s recommendations. The vote was as follows:”

“For – 9 (approval) Against – 0 (approval) Abstention – 0 (approval)”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the legal agreement and conditions, and the application was referred to the Mayor of London.

“That planning permission be granted subject to the completion of the S106 agreement and the above conditions and that the Committee refer the application to the Mayor of London under the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008, in accordance with paragraph 16 of Part 2B of Article 7 of the London Borough of Barnet Constitution, as the application is within one or more of the categories which must be referred.”

Minutes