The leader of Harrow Borough Council says she is proud the authority has been able help find a new home for a Hindu free school.

Last night the council's cabinet approved a recommendation to allow the Avanti House free school to be built on Whitchuch Playing Fields in Stanmore.

Earlier this week it was announced the Education Funding Agency had given its approval for a free school to go ahead on the site.

Speaking at the meeting, council leader Cllr Susan Hall said: “I must say I am extremely proud we have been able to do this.

“We do believe it is the right school in the right place. There is a great demand for school places and residents will be delighted to have it there.”

The council has agreed to grant consent for the creation of a free school, and agreed terms of a 125-year lease for the site and terms of community use as part of the lease.

Plans for the school building are due to be submitted to Harrow Council later this year.

At the meeting members were shown a solicitors letter from the Whitchurch Consortium, which had been the preferred bidder for the site, stating there could be possible legal action with an injunction against the decision.

However members were told by the council’s legal officer Hugh Peart there was not a threat of an injunction.

In 2012 the then Labour administration, the council gave its backing to plans from the Whitchurch Consortium to build a new sports complex and leisure facility on the site.

The plans were met with strong opposition from people in the area and from Harrow East MP Bob Blackman.